Dwelling on the failures of yesterday, the lost game, the opportunity that vaporized in the heat of the moment, or the anger the irrupted at the worst possible moment is almost too easy. I find myself reveling in self-criticism. The things that cause me to stay steadfastly glued in the past include missed expectations, damaged relationships, unjustified pain, and innocent words twisted into painful darts. These items are normal events and then the major catastrophes come!
A reflective evaluation reveals that the challenge is not coming from the type or range of problems. The difficult challenge is to learn from what is happening in life versus fighting the events. Easy to say, difficult to do!
I am dealing with a major work crisis. Work is operating in a contingency site, it will be problematic to be able to go back to normal operations within the next ten days, and expectations on how one can and should perform continue to increase! The good news is that the pressures of today prevent dwelling on the past anymore than is the situation dictates. Learning from the past is critical, however surviving today is life itself!
I see God today in a different light. The life lessons of yesterday, yours and mine provide plenty of experience food to grow on. Yet, I refuse to learn. I want to repeat the mistakes of yesterday again and then again! I find myself sitting on the negative; dwelling on actions reflecting the god of my self, which only continues the cycle. Do I want to break things out?
Can you imagine God's perspective? “Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn? About face! I can revise your life.” (Proverbs 1.22)
God can do it! He can change the negative to the positive. God has already taken care of the “dirty” work. We cannot change His mind. He is ready to move forward. The details are lying on the table, just waiting for you and I to pick them up. There is only one question. How long are we going to wait?
