Wrestling with Self Forgiveness (Part 4)
Our struggle with self forgiveness may include old and painful memories. Sometimes these memories plague us in an endless loop of negative thoughts and pictures. We need to address our memories in a constructive way. When old memories continue to bother us, that indicates a lack of resolution. Are we trying to the same problem in the future? Do we feel like we were treated unjustly? Are we using those memories to justify present behavior? Are we are hung up in unbelief that something so terrible happened to us, a denial of reality? There could be many reasons why we are not letting our past go. What can we do about these repeated negative memories?
We must recognize when the cycle of negative thinking begins. If we can identify when it starts, we can do two things. First, we can interrupt the negative thoughts with other thoughts more positive in nature. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” If our thoughts do not conform to these virtues, we should change our thoughts and think on this list of things that the Holy Spirit gives us. Replacing our negative thoughts with positive ones helps to eliminate them. This will give us relief from the negative emotions that accompany them. This does not address the underlying issues, but like a band-aid, it provides temporary relief so that we can heal. The second thing we can do is work on the underlying reason for the negative thinking. We will discuss this more in the next article.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley