Replays Etch Memories, Etch Pain

When we were dating, I’d ask my husband what he thought of a movie. He always used the word “good.” One day I asked him why “good” was always his reply. I wanted to know why he never used the word “great.”

He let me know quickly that John Wayne movies are great!

When a television station plays John Wayne movies back to back, you can pretty much guess what we’re watching at our house.

Sometimes I watch with one eye, if you know what I mean. I thank God for my poor memory. It can be a blessing. Some parts of the movies are “new” all over again.

Nevertheless, some parts of those movies are etched in my mind. I doubt I will ever forget them. I can even say the lines before the actors in some cases.

Question. When someone oppresses you, do you play it over and over again in your mind? If you do, I encourage you to not do that. I encourage you to forgive it as quickly as you can and go on.

If you play and replay painful memories, you’ll etch them in your mind and heart. Over time the memory fades, but the message remains. The result can be that you may not remember why you feel the way you do, you just feel that way.

Baggage can be hard to set down if you pick it up. If you have baggage, perhaps it’s because over and over you’ve held onto the verdict of “guilty through the eyes of another.” – That was my experience with baggage.

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:5-9

Often the best way to not get angry is to let it go. Do not replay it. Forgive others and forgive yourself. Don’t let the bitterness set in. Simply – if you will – don’t pick up the baggage. It’s heavier than you can imagine. It imprisons and enslaves. Let us remember we are in a spiritual battle.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Peter 5:8-10

LIFE APPLICATION

Key Focal Verse:

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7

Today’s challenge is no replays! No replays will free you of any repeating accusations you have running through your mind. Ask God to help you to let go of the words and the deeds of oppressors.