By Carol Round – “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds”— Psalm 77:11-12 (NIV).
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t want to dwell on past mistakes and sins. Sometimes, it’s difficult to purge those thoughts from our memories, especially if our past is filled with pain and regret. However, there is one thing we can do to let go of the negativity and embrace the goodness of God.
We can reflect on God’s past actions in our lives to strengthen our faith and provide encouragement. Scripture emphasizes the significance of remembering God’s deeds and His faithfulness. (See Psalm 77:11-12 above.)
When God began revealing Himself to me as an adult, I started reflecting on my past. How had God been at work in my life, even when I didn’t realize it as a child?
Reflecting on the Past
As I reflected on the past, I could see God’s fingerprints all over it. Although my parents had attended church until they married and left home, they weren’t churchgoers afterward. They didn’t take my sister and me to church.
However, our gracious God ensured that my sibling and I had a solid religious foundation. When my parents purchased a new home in Louisiana, we were located a block away from a small church. Along with other neighborhood children, we walked each Sunday morning to learn about Jesus.
I cherish the memories of that first church where I was baptized. It played a significant role in the beginnings of my relationship with Christ.
Significant Events Shape Our Faith
In 1971, during our high school commencement practice, I became ill and ended up in a small Oklahoma rural hospital where we had relocated two years prior. The doctor couldn’t figure out the cause of my illness. The abdominal pain became excruciating, and I received enough pain medication that I was not aware of my surroundings.
Three days later, the doctor performed exploratory abdominal surgery. He discovered my bowels were impacted, and my pancreas was filled with poison. However, he still didn’t know why I was so ill with a body temperature of 106 degrees. The day after surgery, I was visited by a well-known evangelist who prayed over me. He was our senior class baccalaureate speaker that Sunday evening. I was still not aware of my surroundings and vaguely remember his visit.
Ten years later, when I underwent an elective abdominal surgery, the surgeon discovered pieces of my appendix wrapped around my intestines. She said I was lucky to be alive. I knew it wasn’t luck. God had answered prayers. Reflecting on that time, I now understand how much God cares for us. I believe that I might not have survived the life-threatening condition without God’s intervention.
God at Work in Our Lives
In reflecting on our past and God’s role in it, we can find hope and joy in the journey. Psalm 143:5 says, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.”
It’s essential to acknowledge our history by reflecting on our memories and appreciating how God has knitted us together from the beginning. He wants us to recognize His love and mercy through each season of our lives. And as we recognize His faithfulness, we can remain hopeful for what lies ahead.
Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you,” and in Romans 15:13, Paul encourages us to remember this: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I always love hearing from my readers. Please e-mail me at [email protected] with your thoughts or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, contact me at the above e-mail address or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo by Paniz gm on Unsplash
