Dwelling on the Past?
Myth 2 – Your Past, the Root of your Problem
Self Worldview
Psychology focuses upon man as the center for how we look upon the world. Therapists insist that patients think about or “meditate” on all that is bad or wrong in their lives. They insist that one can only be cured from aberrant behaviors or feelings by finding the root of a particular problem.
This is purportedly achieved by exploring the patient’s past. In session after session patients recount painful memories to search for those things which contributed to their problems.
Zap a Memory
Isn’t it ironic that after meditating on negative circumstances, therapists then often utilize powerful drugs to minimize those negative feelings evoked by patients who dwell on their past? They may even go so far as to resort to electro shock treatment to completely erase these painful memories.
This is a foolish, evil, useless endeavor!
Think about it. Psychologists lure patients into dwelling on painful things, and then shock and medicate them to knock it out of them! Where is the sense in that?
Furthermore, do you know of one patient who has been helped by meditating on the bad things in his or her past? Has a patient been permanently helped by taking powerful drugs and electro shock to erase bad memories which have been deliberately resurrected by a therapist?
Sinful Heart of Man
Instead, Scripture tells us:
F. “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NASB).
If we are honest with ourselves, we know that we daily fight powerful emotions of envy, bitterness, hatred, prejudice, self-centeredness, and other self-serving thoughts. This is our sinful nature.
We want that red convertible car across the street. We wish we had our neighbor’s custom home. We lust after an unmarried fellow at work. We want a college degree like our friend. We covet new furniture, new clothes, a perfect lawn, and a perfect, lean, muscular body.
It’s enough to make us ill. This is reason enough to try to forget ourselves and to focus upon God and the things above.
As folksy teacher/speaker Joyce Meyer says, it’s frustrating because I’m stuck with myself wherever I go. I drive the car with myself. I wash the dishes by myself. I eat lunch with myself. I shower in my own company. I get dressed with me around. I can’t get rid of me. Wherever I go there I am!
Yet, God tells me:
G. “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2 NASB).
This godly prescription to focus on something other than me is a welcomed relief! Don’t you agree?
Press On
In contrast to dwelling on our negative past,the Bible tells us to forget the past and to reach forward to better things.
H. …“one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead”…(Philippians 3:13-14 NASB).
MacArthur notes, “The believer must refuse to rely on past virtuous deeds and achievements in ministry or to dwell on sins and failures. To be distracted by the past debilitates one’s efforts in the present” (The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV, notes re: Philippians 3:13).
Changing You – not Them
You will not be able to change your brother’s spiteful personality, or your boss, or the mechanic, or your neighbor, or that driver who just cut you off. You can, however, change how you react to these unfortunate events and people in your life.
God does not expect you to be a little “Holy Spirit Junior,” changing everyone around you for the better. That’s not your job. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job. God does expect you to line up your thoughts with His Word to the best of your abilities, however.
The Lord wants you to quit thinking about “them,” and start thinking about “you.” You can’t change them. You can change you, however.
The Bible tells us consistently to dwell on God’s Word and decent things.
I. …“whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:6-8 NASB).
Do not be Anxious
Finally, the Bible tells us to quit worrying about everything. It tells us to pray about all of our concerns. It tells us to be thankful for what we do have. And the Bible commands us to ask for what we need.
Remember, God tells us clearly that we have not because we ask not (James 4:2). The Lord wants you to ask for the things you need, and He chooses to work through your prayers.
J. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7 NASB).
The second half of Philippians 4:7 above, tells us that God’s peace will “guard” our hearts and “minds” in Christ Jesus if we follow the first half by praying for what we need along with a spirit of thanksgiving.
1. Pray
2. Be thankful for what you do have
3. Ask for what you need
Then God’s peace will guard your psyche.
2nd. Assignment – part 2
1. Memorize verses F-J. Write these verses on blank business cards, and review them daily until they are memorized.
2. Review verses A-E from week one. Take the time you need to memorize these ten verses from assignments one and two. God’s Word is extremely effective and powerful, living and active in your life (Hebrews 4:12).
3. What is God’s purpose for you?
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29 ESV).
We are to be conformed to God’s Son. We are not supposed to be “happy.” Rather, we are to become “holy.” We are training for reigning with the Lord of the universe (2 Tim. 2:12).
Important to Remember:
How do we begin to change negative memories and feelings?
– Don’t dwell on the past. Reach forward to what lies ahead (Phil. 3:13-14).
– Think about God’s Word and decent, lovely things (Phil. 4:6-8).
– Quit worrying about everything. Pray. Be thankful for those things you do have. Ask for what you need. (Phil. 4:6-7).
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In Part 3 we will explore how to overcome obsessive/compulsive thoughts. We will learn how to “renew” our minds, and we will learn how to over-ride obsessive thoughts.
…”be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Ro. 12:2, NASB).
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Ro. 10:17).
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References:
Adams, Jay. 1986. The Biblical view of self-esteem, self-love, self-image. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.
Almy, Gary. 1994. Addicted to recovery. Eugene, OR: Harvest House.
Benware, Paul. 2002. The believer’s payday. Chattanooga, TN: AMG.
Ganz, Richard. 1993. PsychoBabble: The failure of modern psychology and the Biblical alternative. Wheaton, ILL: Crossway Books.
Meyer, Joyce. www.joycemeyer.org. (ed. While we do not agree with prosperity teachings or most charismatic beliefs, Meyer is helpful with interpersonal relationship problems).
Owen, Jim. 1993. Christian psychology’s war on God’s Word. Santa Barbara, CA: EastGate Publishers.
Tyler, David and Kurt Grady. 2006. Deceptive diagnosis: When sin is called sickness. Bemidji, MN: Focus Publishing.