As previously mentioned, looking back in one’s past can either be a cheerful or a sad experience. If looking back triggers trauma and hurts that have not been addressed, please read Part 1 of this article series. Some people who are able to look back cheerfully or with joy do so for various reasons, which may include: 1) their past was either not scared with traumatic or negative experiences, or 2) their past was scared, but they received healing or other long-awaited breakthroughs and are therefore no longer adversely affected by the negative experiences of their past. Let’s chat a bit about the second reason. Lately I have noticed that once healing, provision, success or other breakthroughs are experienced, there seems to be a tendency to forget the past completely, forget the source of our breakthroughs, focus on the breakthrough alone, or just move on to the next big ‘thing’, whatever that may be. I have noticed that these tendencies sometimes cause one to: 1) forget what it was like to experience the struggles before the breakthroughs, 2) not be able to fully sympathize with those going through the same struggle(s), 3) put God (The One Who made the healing or breakthrough possible) in the back-burner including the promises made to him during the waiting or painful period, and 4) essentially loose perspective of what really matters. So, what is it that really matters when we are in a season of breakthrough (may it be spiritual e.g. salvation or maturing in our relationship with Christ; emotional/relational healing; or material improvement)?

Now don’t get me wrong, there are moments when the past needs to be fully left behind and not reminiscent over; especially if full healing has not been experienced, forgiveness has not been given and/or received, or if reminiscing over a particular situation will lead to or cause tension or unhealthy arguments. However, our past experiences (no matter how sad or joyous) and the lessons learned can and must be used positively, instead of locking them away in the sea of forgetfulness. Using our past experiences positively will help bring edification and encouragement to those in our lives and around us who may be going through the same painful situation(s) or struggle(s) we went through before receiving healing or a major long-awaited breakthrough. So essentially what truly matters when we are in the season of breakthrough orchestrated by God (and not forced by ourselves or people in our lives), is to: 1) maintain our focus on God, Who is eternal and unchanging, 2) view the breakthrough as a tool to bless others, and 3) actually put that tool to good and positive use so others around us can also experience hope and the necessary breakthrough they need. Examples of ways we can put to our past experiences to good use include: 1) landing/giving a helping hand, 2) becoming a shoulder for others to cry on, 3) being quick to listen and slow to speak as The Bible instructs in James 1:19, and 4) sincerely and fervently praying for the need(s) of others etc. All of this is done for the ultimate glory of God, The One who made our breakthroughs possible in the first place. As Charles Thomas Studd, British Missionary to China/India/Africa, once said in his famous poem “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last“. This is so true, because James 4:14 reminds us that our physical life here on earth is not eternal but it is a vapour/mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. So, it is very important to ensure that in our season of breakthroughs, we don’t disconnect with the past but instead serve and honor God with the breakthroughs by not only remembering Him but sympathizing with those in need, and sharing the experience of how God brought us through those painful or even traumatic situations that scared our past.

In the past few months, my prayer as it relates to this topic has been “Lord Jesus please help me to not loose sight of You and to not get lost in the gifts or provisions from You but may I be devoted to You even even more now than I was before. Let the provisions You’ve given me lead me closer to you and not away from you. In Jesus name”. I strongly desire that this would continue to be my prayer, because yes once breakthrough comes it is very easy to quickly move onto the ‘next big thing’, disregard or forget God, and be so disconnected with the past that showing genuine love/sympathy/understanding/care to those in need becomes or feels like a burden when it should really be considered as a privilege and a blessing.

Let’s all be encouraged to Look Up to The Lord Jesus Christ to help keep our priorities on what truly matters and is lasting, when we are in a season of healing from past hurst/traumas or have been blessed with a long awaited God-orchestrated breakthrough. Actually, The Lord Jesus Christ is the only God who put Himself in our shoes when He walked this earth over 2000 years ago. He experienced life as we know it with all its struggles/hurts/temptations but without sinning, succumbing to those negative experiences, or letting those negative experiences take a toll on Him. Instead, The Lord Jesus Christ is the only God to have overcome the world and its struggles, temptations and even death itself, as The Bible reassures us in John 16:33. So, who more to Look Up to for help on focusing on what really matters when we are in a season of breakthrough than Christ Jesus Himself?

Friend, as you look back on your past: what breakthroughs have you experienced? How can you draw from your past experiences to encourage anyone in your current circle still going through the same struggles/hardships you experienced before receiving that or those breakthrough(s)? Is your breakthrough bringing you closer to God or have you been so focused on it that you completely lost sight of God and perspective on what truly matters during this season?

Please let me know what you think and let’s chat 🙂