Yesterday is Gone

Times of reflections of the past seem to be occurring more frequently for me than ever before. Perhaps it’s because I am older than ever before.

By Mel Whittington

Good morning, my friends.

Times of reflections of the past seem to be occurring more frequently for me than ever before. Perhaps it’s because I am older than ever before. Lights, songs, smells, decorations, tastes always trigger memories. First Grade. First best friend. First breakup. First car. First date. Firsts kiss.

Precious Memories, How They Linger!

Yet, the memories that linger, for too many people, are not so precious! In life there is too much opportunity to be victimized, embarrassed, abused, rejected, and so on. The pain of these events lingers and lingers and gains the power to become part of our self-concept. When this happens, our identity can become determined by these memories. We become stuck—unable to stop letting our self-concept become a self-fulfilling prophecy, which leads us to re-experience the events that gave “birth” to the negative self-image.

Is it O.K. to reflect on times past? Yes. It is the way we Christians can inventory the amazing love, provision, Grace, healing and all the other interventions into our own history that were ‘wrought by God’ just for us! It is verification of His consistent caring and ‘coaching’, thus HIS investment in us.

Precious Memories, How They Linger

Yet, too often we “live” in the past, when, I believe, that God is the God of NOW! His continuing mission for us is to be the light in this dark world—shining so that others can find and receive the life that is promised to them by the ONE who gave up HIS life for them—because of LOVE.

Therefore, remember brothers and sisters of The Faith, remember Jesus’ declaration, “¹When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12. And, Matthew 5:16, “ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” It is CHRIST, who puts HIS light within YOU,

I often remind my patients that,

“Yesterday is gone! There is nothing I can do to change the past. There is no correcting the choices I made back then.

AND, there is no guarantee of a tomorrow! All we have is now.

Yes, we are a product of our past. Who I am today is a consequence of my choices in the past. BUT, who I am for the rest of the ‘nows’ I have today and who I am tomorrow (should I have one) is a choice I get to make now.”

As a “light bearer” you are equipped to make a positive difference in lives. How about beginning with yours?

Sincerely, Mel

Dr. Whittington is recognized as one of the 500 best therapists in the United States. Dr. Whittington focuses on getting to the “root” problems rather than treating symptoms. This includes most clinical disorders and victims of ritualistic and cultic abuse. He empowers people to find “Freedom From The Past” and the “stinkin’ thinking” derived from it.