Arise from Your Past Season and Shine

Joanie Shawhan speaks truth into lives to help people see real change. In this Spiritual Growth UPGRADE, she invites us to move past our past and into a shining future.

“It was time,” Joanie says, “to organize, pitch, and clean!”

When I (Dawn) first read that, I thought this would be an Organization UPGRADE. But Joanie had something far more important in mind.

Joanie continues . . .

The disarray of my physical environment was interfering with my productivity.

I’d start a writing project, but I couldn’t maintain my focus. So, I stuffed garbage bags with stacks of mail and magazines, deleted thousands of emails, shredded paper, and rearranged closets.

But decluttering my physical surroundings fell short of resolving my lack of productivity.

Maybe I needed to declutter another area.

My inner life.

Sometimes we need to arise from the dust of memories that trap and imprison us in the past.

We dwell on a history we cannot change. But Isaiah 52:2 tells us to arise and shake off the dust and remove the chains of slavery from our necks.

My word for this year is arise.

In order to walk in freedom, we need to arise and sweep away the ashes of lost dreams, disappointments, and hurts that have enslaved us and prevented us from walking in God’s best.

It’s Time to Arise FROM:

1. Regrets

We all have regrets, but occasionally we get trapped in a cycle of regret—the what-ifs.

But at the end of the cycle, our history remains unchanged. We can forgive and commit those painful events to God and receive his healing and forgiveness.

2. Failures

All of us experience failure. But if we focus on what we can learn from those experiences, we can move on.

3. Offenses

Holding onto offenses turns our focus from God, imprisoning us in a cell of unforgiveness.

Forgiveness sets us free and places the offender in God’s hands.

4. Bitterness

Bitterness can be sneaky, raising its ugly head through snarky comments, jealousy, and gossip.

We can dig out the roots of bitterness through repentance and make space for what God wants to grow. 

5. Wrong mindsets or attitudes

We can transform our minds by replacing the lies we believe about ourselves, others, and God with the truth of God’s word.

Even the apostle Paul knew the importance of letting go. He said,

One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. (Philippians 3:13 NKJV)

When we leave behind the trappings of the past, we are free to arise and walk in the present purpose and calling of God.

It’s Time to Arise TO:

1. A new level of intimacy with Jesus

We become more sensitive to the Lord’s voice in worship, scripture meditation, and prayer.

Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away (Song of Solomon 2:13 ESV).

2. Believe

Believe the truth of God’s Word.  

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32 NIV).

3. Thanksgiving

Gratitude arises when we are unshackled from the chains that bind us. 

He… broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
(Psalm 107:14-15 NIV).

4. Speak

Whether we speak, write, or share our testimonies, we are called to offer hope to those he has placed within our sphere of influence.

Therefore prepare yourself and arise, and speak to them all that I command you (Jeremiah 1:17 NKJV). 

5. New opportunities

When we let go of the past, we are free to move into the plans and purposes of God, fully confident of His goodness and his direction.  

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV).

We experience a greater presence of the Lord in our lives when we release past hurts, mistakes, and disappointments to God. Instead of focusing on our pain, we are free to walk in the plans and purposes of God.

Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

(Isaiah 60:1 NIV)

Where is God speaking “ARISE” to you?

Joanie Shawhan is an ovarian cancer survivor, registered nurse, speaker, and author of In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer. Her blogs and radio and television interviews can be found on her website: www.joanieshawhan.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Tyler Nix at Unsplash.