Regret Of The Past
We all struggle with regret from our past. Whether we were in bad relationships or made terrible decisions, we still hold on to things we can’t control.
We can’t change our past but we can heal by sharing our problems with God and following his advice for overcoming them.
Take Your Problems To God
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,
4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”
8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
After defeating the prophets of Baal, Elijah finds running from the threat of queen Jezebel. Despite his victory, Elijah believed He failed to turn the Israelites to the Lord and decided his life was no longer worth living. God sent an Angel to feed Him. Somewhere during that time, he decides to visit the Lord on Mount Horeb – the Mountain God appeared to many heroes of our faith.
Experiencing Church Hurt
Before I was ordained, I had a massive fight with my former church. Although everyone wanted me to stay, I knew the Lord was calling me to go somewhere else. I eventually left and was deeply hurt by my pastor when I left. During that time, I relied on the Lord more than ever before. I would spend hours alone with God.
In the hardest moments of our lives, we should always go to God for comfort. He is always willing to listen and help us in times of need.
Tell God About Your Past
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
While resting in a cave all night, Elijah poured out his heart to God. He expresses his love for God and the failures of his ministry. Elijah also expresses the loneliness he feels as a result of following Him. In response to his feelings, God tells Elijah to go out and wait for Him to pass by on the mountain.
Time Alone With God
During that season of life, I spent hours praying to God. I told Him about the isolation I felt from leaving my former church. I cried over the pain of watching my former pastor slander my name throughout our community. Lastly, I told God about my doubts about going to another ministry.
Before we can heal from the past, we must express our deepest feelings to God. In those moments, God will respond and provide everything we need to overcome them.
Follow The Advice He Gives
11 Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.
16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.
18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
The Lord personally appears to Elijah to comfort Him in a time of need. After Elijah once again expresses his failures, the Lord gives him the solution to overcome his struggles. To save his life, Elijah will anoint Jehu as the King of Israel. For his loneliness, the Lord paired Elijah with Elisha.
Freed From The Past
Although I wanted to comfort my pastor for slandering my name, the Lord wanted me to wait. Through much prayer and bible study, the Lord assured me that the only thing I needed to do was wait. Eventually, every leader that heard his words assured me that they were by my side. In the end, I healed from the hurt I experienced and began serving my community as a notable pastor.
We Can All Heal
We can all heal and let go of our past. By taking our problems to God, we allow him to comfort us and solve our problems. As we follow this process throughout our lives, there will be nothing we can’t heal from.
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