Is Your Past Worth Your Present?

After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison… About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.  At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.  Acts 16:23-26 (NIV)

Whether we realize it or not, refusing to let go of our past will cost us our present.  It doesn’t matter if it’s an immediate past or years past.  The ability to forgive and let go of wrongs done to us frees us to receive and embrace the blessings God has for us in our present.  Now, we can always justify or have good reasons as to why we shouldn’t let go – why we shouldn’t let someone off the hook, so to speak.  However, at the same time, we can always choose to forgive, understanding that all things truly work out for our good because we really love God.  

Look at Paul and Silas.  They could have easily held on to the hurt and pain of being spitefully accused, falsely convicted and horribly beaten.  They could have easily justified having bad attitudes or even disgruntle dispositions.  Yet, they had prayers instead of resentment; they had praises instead of self-pity.  They chose not to concentrate of their hurt and pain, but on the goodness of God. Because of it - Paul, Silas, and every single person around them experienced a wonderful blessing.  All prison doors were opened and everyone's chains came loose.  

Today, ask yourself – is my past worth my present?  Is whatever happened to me in the past worth sacrificing what God is doing for me right now?  And do I really want to be surrounded by bound people?   The answer to all those questions is No.  So let go of your past because it’s not worth your present.