A Voice In The Mountains, By Alan D. Turner     

PUTTING THE BAD THINGS BEHIND US    

In last week’s article: New Year’s Resolutions, I stated this is the time of the year when many of us will make ourselves promises to do better unto ourselves than we did the previous year. That these resolutions stem from a desire to finally put and keep away the bad things in one’s life, and replacing them with good things. 

I also noted a truth regarding New Year’s Resolutions: Even though many may make promises during this time of year, there is a much higher percentage of failure than success in keeping the promises. The primary reason being: People either do not start the effort needed for a change to the better or they give up too soon. 

In this week’s article, I give one more reason why there may be little to no success in keeping these New Year’s Resolutions; that being: There are people who will not go forward, because they are unwilling to let go of their past (Genesis 11: 24-31). Some of these types of people may even try to go forward by attempting to do better acts outwardly, while still holding onto the bad things that may have happened to them. These people will fail in their attempt, because they are still held captive to their past. 

For example: A person who has had a bad experience with a previous failed marriage; may bring those bad experiences into each new potential relationship; causing the new beginning to end before it even gets started; or even worse, they will marry that other person, who even though they may be nothing like the previous spouse, they will always be judged not by their own merit, but be condemned by association. In other words, if one man or woman is bad then all men or women must be bad also. If not right away, eventually the new marriage will end. To paraphrase The Bible, it tells us, “To behold all things new, the old things must pass away” (2 Corinthians 5: 10-20). A greater chance of success in one’s future, will be determined if the bad things in one’s past can finally be put behind one’s life; things like regrets, failures, traumatic experiences, and bad deeds committed by and/or to that one attempting a positive change.  

For a true positive change to take place, one must become determined to do whatever it takes to be successful. Not only must they be willing to do the right things, they must stop allowing the bad things of their past to interfere with their present. For it is not enough to start one without stopping the other. 

For example: Dieting does not work, when one begins to eat better healthy choices; if at the same time they keep eating the high fats and/or sugars. For smokers, I have known people to chew the nicotine gum and/or to wear the nicotine patches, yet keep smoking; this is not only detrimental to the success of quitting, it is more dangerous to the health of the smoker; for this could result in heart failure due to an overdose of nicotine. 

As for stopping bad habits: One may need to consider the emotional side of why a person may be given into a bad habit. For example: A person who over eats may be doing so to fill a void in their lives. A person who abuses alcohol and/or drugs may be seeking to drown out some painful experience that is tormenting their mind and soul. A person who may seem to always be harsh, bitter, and hateful toward others; may be that way, because the truth is, they are not satisfied with themselves. 

Whatever the reason for any negative action, for it to truly stop, one must be willing to deal with the root cause of the negative action. Once recognized and acknowledged; if it can be resolved, then do so; that it can finally be put behind you; hopefully once and for all. 

For some things, even if recognized and acknowledged, they may never be resolvable. The cause of the negative action maybe so severe, that one can only pray this simple prayer:

Serenity Prayer 

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And the wisdom to know the difference. 

One must make this determination, “Whatever negative action that occurred in my life; even though I may not be able to change it, I will not permit it to negatively change me”. 

For all you who say that this is easier said than done: Make up your mind, though this may not be easy, it can and will be done; if one will not give up. For all those who will reach out by faith in prayer to The Heavenly Father, with Christ Jesus’ help it will be done! 

Confess this Bible Verse for yourselves, “I can do all things, through Christ Who strengthens me” (Philippians 4: 13). 

Thank you for reading this column each and every week, as I continue to share THIS ONE MAN’S OPINION concerning subjects that matter to my God and our families. 

For comment I may be contacted by email alandturner@hotmail.com.