by Tina Y. Gerber-McCurley
Every Christmas I reminisce about the past. Preferably, the gathering with family and friends but also the recollection of unpleasant events, experiences and memories I would rather forget! Remembering the past is a fundamental part of being alive, of being human.
Our personal memories give us a sense of continuity and help us to understand the joy, happiness, and the chaos which happened. Whether those events are negative or positive, they give us the opportunity to look at life and make the necessary changes. Eventually, you can benefit from those past experiences. This influences the present and guides us to make better future decisions because giving thought to the future is also important.
In 2025, we are now all bringing our history forward, individuality and collectively.
Forgiveness is a process of releasing past hurts, then taking a step forward, as one looks forward to tomorrow. It's vital to focus on your relationships, including the one you have with yourself, as it's difficult to heal when you are living in limbo. Spending time with God allows you to centre your thoughts and open your heart to God's whispers. It's also important to try your best to retrain your thoughts, meaning: go through them, not around them. Practice mindfulness, be deliberate and decide to let go.
Focus on growth and moving forward to gain momentum. Whether you are 20, 80 or anywhere in between, life isn't about always being accepted, it's more about accepting yourself, what's real and where you are in the scheme of things. Remember, you can find a new path in life but holding onto hurts and regrets can weigh you down. The Bible teaches us to let go and forgive.
Psalm 55:22: "Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous [ultimately] all.” NIV
Letting go of hurts requires us to surrender our pain to God and trust in His faithfulness and goodness. When we let go of hurts, disappointments and setbacks, we make space for God's healing and restoration in our lives.
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