Daily Wisdom 06-02-2001 Past Hurts

"Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear, and with a manly heart." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

We have all heard the term, "gun shy," meaning, a person who was emotionally injured in a relationship and is now cautious about entering another relationship due to the hurts of the past. It is also a known fact that one's childhood does, to some degree, affect one's adult psyche.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we humans tend to carry lots of emotional baggage. Hurts of the past often affect how we react to situations today; embracing them or fearing them. It is a sad fact that such past injurious recollections can so easily allow one to erect walls, supposedly for our own protection, but which often end up imprisoning us. The secure fortress we create to keep out hurts, soon becomes a prison. Outside the walls is love, peace, and happiness, but unless the walls are removed, we can never fully know the joy that is ours for the taking.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, wisely states, "Why should we grope among the dry bones of the past, or put the living generation into masquerade out of its faded wardrobe?"

In my own life, I can recall how the injuries of my past, not only robbed me of various personal and professional opportunities, but which, in a few instances, pulled me farther, rather than closer to God. During one particular period, I avoided going to church because, for one reason or another, I felt let down by some of my past church experiences. For these few years, I rationalized that I didn't "need" public worship, and that my private relationship with God was much more significant. Important, yes, but it was only until I found a comfortable church home years later that I was fully able to see just how much I missed out on by avoiding Christian fellowship. If I was fully honest with myself, I had to admit that the emotional baggage I carried was in no way helpful, but actually harmful to my entire being.

Releasing the often negative and suffocating grip of the past is exactly what Christ calls us to do. We are not to dwell among the barren bones of past loves and past hurts, but to feast our eyes upon the richness of the moment, and the joyous hope of the future! Emotional scars are not signs of weakness or defeat, but badges of victory that we have tread rough waters, and not only survived, but emerged all the more wise! Difficult moments in life are not meant to be a heavy ball and chain, but a balloon on a string that allows us to live, learn and cast our eyes always heavenward!

Today, won't you call out to God and ask tell Him you are ready to let go of the past and look toward a new tomorrow?

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Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr