Confronting My Past . . .

Have you ever done something you cannot undo?  I have.  And, it has been a huge source of shame, anxiety, and fear in my life for years.  No matter how far down I shoved the emotions associated with this situation, they always resurfaced – especially when I wanted to take steps to move my life forward in a new direction.

This past week, a new opportunity presented itself.  However, in order to seize this opportunity, I had to decide whether I was willing to disclose my past (i.e., tell the truth) or hide it (i.e., lie).  The deep-rooted fear about this situation made me physically ill, but I decided I would tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may. Then, I told a good friend about my decision because I knew if I did so, there would be no turning back…

Right now, I am overwhelmed with emotions so it is a bit difficult to write this, but I finally confronted my past – I owned it.  And do you know what?  I discovered the truth: my past actions do not define me anymore than my present actions do.  

God says, “I will remember your sins no more.” (Heb 10:17).  It’s not that He did not see what I had done, because He saw it.  Instead, when He saw what I did, He chose to remember only what Jesus had done for me on the cross.

This week, when I confronted my past, I heard these words for the first time in my heart, not just in my head:  “neither do I condemn you.”   With these words echoing in my heart, I found the courage to boldly take a step toward moving my life forward in a new direction. 

Jesus said, “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  Today, I am free!  I am no longer hiding in the shadows of guilt and shame, but moving forward in the marvelous light of His truth.  And what I have experienced is available for you, too.  

Stop hiding in the shadows and step into light of His truth.  You, too, will discover that there is no one standing there to condemn you.