"There is more good news."

A thought by H. Norman Wright from his book, When the Past Won't Let You Go (p. 47). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.  (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) 

Yes there is!

Norman says, "Our thoughts can also create a calmness that helps control our emotions and rein them in before they spin out of control. Every positive or happy thought spurs our brains to action, releasing chemicals that make us feel good. These help us become a today and tomorrow person and break loose from the past. Take this statement: 'I am a today and tomorrow person,' and repeat it out loud ten times every day. We’ll experience a difference in mood and attitude."

He goes on, ".. thoughts follow specific pathways in the brain. They don’t bounce around randomly landing somewhere. Each pathway was created for a specific purpose. God created our brains to function this way. This memory stage is similar to a library. It’s responsible for the first emotional response to any thought. It activates and arouses us to do something. If our 'library' is filled with 'books' that tell a story about not being able to cope with the incoming information, the first response will be to rate this information based purely on emotion by activating old memories from the past. That’s why it is best not to react to the first emotion you feel.1 I’m sure people have told you to 'check out' and evaluate your first impulse. You’ve probably told people that too. The past does not have to be your present reaction.

"When our thoughts are negative, we risk giving our emotions control. Unless the situation activates balanced thoughts, the emotion it generates can dominate.2 And the result is not usually the best response. Remember this: The more emotional damage in our past, the more potential damage in our present and future."

He continues, "This is why our memories, even those we don’t consciously recall, have such powerful effects. Like all humans, we carry with us hidden memories. They’re stored in our minds, burned into the hard drive. When the 'right' key combinations are hit, they’re triggered and reappear. 

"We all have memories hidden beyond our conscious memories, blocked because the events were extremely painful or traumatic. It’s as though we put a lid on something we didn’t want to face. The ability to repress emotionally painful material can serve an immediate, positive purpose, but eventually not identifying, recognizing, and dealing with it keeps us stuck being yesterday people."

He then says, "The apostle Paul wrote, 'Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable' (Philippians 4:8 NLT). This helps break the chains of the past. After dealing with the trauma, we focus our thoughts on God and His blessings. Our outlook will be changed when we apply Scripture."

And that is what we need, isn't it?

Yes, yes! 

 

Wright, H. Norman. When the Past Won't Let You Go: Find the Healing That Helps You Move On (p. 47). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.