We know that Jesus' disciples suffered trauma during festive seasons because the Apostle James (John's brother) was killed during the Passover week, a very holy and celebratory time for the Jewish people (Acts 12). And all of the disciples physically saw their friend, mentor, teacher and Savior brutally killed during a Passover celebration. One might say "but that was Jesus, and He was later raised from the dead.” This is true, but they still retained the memory of watching him physically die a bloody and painful death – that’s a horrific site to watch no matter what the end result may be.
It’s difficult to imagine the great grief they must have felt from these experiences, in addition to the constant pressure they were under from the Roman government and the priests who persecuted and pursued them. But the disciples could not allow these traumas to overshadow their lives and their work for the Lord. They were bent on destroying the works of hell, not pondering them and becoming stifled by them. Had they not understood that they were on assignment for God, and that He was with them continually, they may have stopped and crumbled, allowing grief and pressure to inundate their hearts and minds.
Besides understanding our assignments for the Lord and using them as impetus to press forward, we have the continual saving and healing grace and power of God with us on a daily basis. However, we must be willing to receive that grace and power by willingly letting go of the past instead of carrying the bitterness and pain of it into our future: we cannot punish an offender of the past by allowing the offense to dictate our future! I unknowingly had this mindset at one time, and eventually had to ask myself “who is being punished?”
For the Christian who desires to follow God wholeheartedly, there has to come a time of releasing the past and living fully in the present. Sometimes we must do that internally by taking a mental and Spiritual stand, and sometimes we must physically do something to keep the past from thriving in the present. For example, when there’s a feeling of dread during a time that should be joyous, determine that you will receive the Lord’s emotional healing because He has come that you may have a full and fruitful life (John 10:10)! This is a promise – grasp hold of the promise of God and take it into yourself. When other’s expectations are impossible to live up to and bring stress to a time that should be celebratory, it may be necessary to take a stand (in love) and set some healthy boundaries. When history tries to repeat itself or bring its trauma (or drama) into the present, it’s time to use your authority in Christ and put up a road block – even if that means physically removing yourself from its path.
Isn’t it time to be set free from the trauma and drama of the past? There is absolutely nothing that God cannot heal, and He is willing: with God, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26)! There are better things to think on, better things to live for, and a better future than what the past is dictating to you today. Are you ready to step into God's healing and the future He's planned for you?
“He has sent Me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to grant [consolation and joy] … to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified” [Isaiah 61:1-3 AMP].
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