The Past Viewpoint

I’ve been teaching on a topic called Perception with 4 main viewpoints:

1) The Now Viewpoint,

2) The Past Viewpoint,

3) The Vision Viewpoint, and

4) The Eternal Viewpoint.

Today, let’s take a look into the past.

The past is a loaded word. It can mean so many different things to people. The past can be full of wonderful memories – your favorite snapshots filled with joy and laughter all throughout your life.

Each picture and memory awaken that special moment when you see or think of: Your family, friends, vacations, high school, college days, getting married, buying your first home, or remembering each child you brought into the world.

Reminiscing over the past and traveling down memory lane can also stir up deep pain, insecurities, rejection, or loss. The past is a collection of memories, and these memories pull on you like gravity. No matter how old you are – the past is always there.

Some people try to forget the past:

• The past of their childhood,
• The past of a bad relationship, and possibly
• The past of yesterday.

I’m a strong believer in addressing your issues from your past (head-on), so the memories don’t haunt your present and/or future.

Whatever issue (from the past) that keeps resurfacing in your life – I would encourage you to deal with it. Don’t run from your problems or fears. Over time, many people learn to suppress their problems and just move forward; but this strategy will not end well. All suppressed issues resurface one way or another.

Several issues that usually hold you back include:

• Offense,
• Abuse,
• Loss,
• Rejection,
• Abandonment, and
• Unforgiveness.

These issues have to be identified and brought to the Lord for healing – if not, the enemy will use them to taunt you and create a platform of anxiety and fear to torment your mind.

The enemy never plays fare – he uses the very thing that caused you pain and turns it against you in your future. So, it’s critical that you address your issues and identify them by name and circumstance.

Are you running from something? Hiding from something? Or is something
keeping you up at night?

The beginning of healing (mentally and emotionally) is when you identify the problem that causes you pain, fear, or anxiety.

Then once you identify your problem, issue or circumstance, and bring it to the Lord – search your heart for forgiveness, so you can truly heal. You may need to ask someone for forgiveness or actually grant someone forgiveness from what they did to you – and just release them unto the Lord.

Do you want to walk in freedom from your past?

Forgiveness is the key that will break the stronghold of any offense in your life.

If you don’t forgive –

• The stronghold will feed the offense,
• Keep it alive, and
• Breed a spirit of bitterness.

Forgiveness should be a daily practice in your life, so you can truly operate in LOVE.

 If you’re healed from your past hurts…
Don’t fall into the trap of living your life “looking” through the rearview mirror.

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

“’Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’”

You can’t make good decisions in your present if you’re looking through the lens of your rearview mirror. Because it’s hard to move forward when you’re looking backwards. The Word says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”

I charge you to look forward with a new perspective on life. A fresh perspective to see what God sees for you and in you. Father God is removing the pain of your past, and He is giving you a new lens to view your present and future. You only have one life to live, so don’t get stuck in your past and miss your future.

Rise up and be strong in the Lord. Pick yourself up and choose to see through the lens of healing, and a new beginning. You have a destiny deep within you – that is yet to be fulfilled.

So don’t look back. Don’t sit down. Keep going and set your eyes on the prize.
You have an assignment on your life.

There are souls on the line that need your encouragement, and your testimony of what Jesus has done in your life. Your victory will help build your faith and encourage others they can make it too!

So remember, it’s not all about you –
it’s always about others that are waiting for what is in you.

 Revelation 12:11 (KJV)

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”

The world is desperate to see real faith, and hear what Jesus has done for you…

• So keep moving forward,
• Don’t look back,
• Testify – how Jesus has kept you,
• Healed you, and
• Brought you through!

Love and prayers,

Julie G

Julie Giordano

www.juliegiordano.org