Everyone has a past, whether good or bad. What I've learned is that your past can determine your future depending on how you progress over the years.
Some people take what's happened to them over the years and use it for good; to grow and learn. Others become a victim and turn what could be a fruitful life into one full of pain, misery and sorrow. I chose the first.
I've witnessed over the years a great many people take their past lives and turn it into something that made their futures bright and plentiful. Take Joyce Meyer, for example. She "suffered sexual abuse as a child and the pain of an emotionally abusive first marriage... battled with breast cancer ...". Her life could have gone in so many different directions but instead she embraced God and all that He had planned for her and made it into something miraculous. She created an organization called Joyce Meyer Ministries and she shares her story all over the world and how you can overcome.
I've also witnessed others who take their past and use it as an excuse to live their lives in unhealthy ways. Sexual abuse, physical abuse...they, themselves turn around and do the exact same things to other and then say "well, it happened to me and it's all I know." It's a mind set. We determine how we choose to live our lives. Nothing anywhere says we have to become a product of our environment. Psychologists, doctors-all have studies that show either path. No one tells us how to live our lives except for us! There is no excuse in the world that says it's ok to beat a child just because our parents did it to us. There is no excuse that says we have to become alcoholics just because our parents were. I don't believe that alcoholism is a genetic disease. I believe it's an every day choice we make...to drink or not to drink...is that the question?
God gave humans free will. It's a blessing and a curse. He allows us to wake each morning, put our two feet on the ground and determine what we will make of that day. Over the last few years, I've made a few close friends. I've learned about their past lives and when I look at them today, I am proud. They chose a different path in life. They chose to make something good of all the bad. They had the same mind set as I did-I will not become a victim of my past life. I will not allow my past to dictate my future. This is the choice I make today and everyday. Free will is my blessing.
Some people take what's happened to them over the years and use it for good; to grow and learn. Others become a victim and turn what could be a fruitful life into one full of pain, misery and sorrow. I chose the first.
I've witnessed over the years a great many people take their past lives and turn it into something that made their futures bright and plentiful. Take Joyce Meyer, for example. She "suffered sexual abuse as a child and the pain of an emotionally abusive first marriage... battled with breast cancer ...". Her life could have gone in so many different directions but instead she embraced God and all that He had planned for her and made it into something miraculous. She created an organization called Joyce Meyer Ministries and she shares her story all over the world and how you can overcome.
I've also witnessed others who take their past and use it as an excuse to live their lives in unhealthy ways. Sexual abuse, physical abuse...they, themselves turn around and do the exact same things to other and then say "well, it happened to me and it's all I know." It's a mind set. We determine how we choose to live our lives. Nothing anywhere says we have to become a product of our environment. Psychologists, doctors-all have studies that show either path. No one tells us how to live our lives except for us! There is no excuse in the world that says it's ok to beat a child just because our parents did it to us. There is no excuse that says we have to become alcoholics just because our parents were. I don't believe that alcoholism is a genetic disease. I believe it's an every day choice we make...to drink or not to drink...is that the question?
God gave humans free will. It's a blessing and a curse. He allows us to wake each morning, put our two feet on the ground and determine what we will make of that day. Over the last few years, I've made a few close friends. I've learned about their past lives and when I look at them today, I am proud. They chose a different path in life. They chose to make something good of all the bad. They had the same mind set as I did-I will not become a victim of my past life. I will not allow my past to dictate my future. This is the choice I make today and everyday. Free will is my blessing.
Shannon... I LOVE THIS!!! Paragraph #2 makes a very profound point. Thanks!
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