Slow Burn - Pt 2

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV). One of the most difficult stressors to overcome is the natural regrets we have as a result of past experiences. For us to take control of our emotions and overcome the “slow burn” of distress we must forget the past.

Victor Kermit Kiam II was an American entrepreneur and TV spokesman for Remington Products, and the owner of the New England Patriots football team from 1988–1991. His “secrets” to success are still used today among many motivational consultants. One of his quotes is most applicable for us as an explanation of the Apostle Paul’s mindset in the writing of our reading today. Kiam said, “Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.” Our past, especially our regrets and failures can become significant obstacles to the renewal of our mind. The transformational power of the Holy Spirit is diminished in our lives because of the focus we naturally have toward our past failures. We are not so completely in control of our being that we can prevent these past points from returning. They have a way of pestering us as anxious sweats, nightmares, sudden sadness, and waves of anger or defeat. But we can nevertheless try to exorcise the past by not playing along with our human tendency to wallow there. We must tell ourselves to move on and mean it. If you have an attachment to misery, you will feel miserable. As best you can, imperfectly but with real energy, let go of the past and forget the past. Let me suggest a few things to do to get the bad and retain the knowledge you gained from the past. First, set aside a specific amount time to reflect. Take some time to be angry, upset, and frustrated. Allow yourself that time to be as down as you want, but when time is up, get up move forward. Second, talk to somebody you know about how you're feeling. It's well known that just talking about something can make you feel better. Saying how you feel out loud puts that information out somewhere besides your brain. Third, refuse to let the past regret define you. Failure is something that happens, not something you are. Be careful not to blur the lines between making mistakes and being someone who only makes mistakes. This is the essence of grace. Set yourself firmly in the present tense of God’s grace and forgiveness. Move forward! Press on!