(Photo by Selma Komisky)

Challenge the Cliché

By Tori Martin

“The Past Is In The Past” and “Don’t Look Back” are two common sayings I’m sure we are all very familiar with. We have all heard, received and possibly quoted (myself included!) these encouraging one-liners which motivate us to keep our eyes on the prize; to press forward into the future at a time when we are so desperately clinging onto the pain of the past. Rightly so, this is good advice.

With this in mind, would it be fair to say that the majority of us will be slightly glad to see the back of 2020? I think so. This last year has been one of many mixed emotions. A year of fear, loss, uncertainty, and anxiety, and that was all just from the toilet paper shortage! Don’t even get me started on homeschooling; never in my life would I have imagined that I would be encouraging more screen time for my kids, just to save my own sanity. I have newfound respect for all school teachers: you are amazing!

But the year of 2020 hasn’t been the first time we’ve felt afraid, alone, or uncertain, no. We have experienced these feelings and emotions many times before, and hey, look, we made it!

Why did we make it? Because we have a good and faithful God!

Remember the time when God healed your sickness? Remember the time when God put a last minute miracle in your bank account? Remember the time when God comforted you on a lonely night? Remember the time when God crushed your addiction? Remember the time when God gave you that amazing job opportunity? Remember the God that brought you through! Which got me thinking, maybe “looking back” might not be such a bad idea after all…at least not when it comes to “looking back” at God’s faithfulness in our lives.

“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”

– Psalm 9:1

Let’s challenge the cliché today. This is the time when “don’t look back” is void. This is the time when it’s okay to reflect on days gone-by. When the future is looking unclear, I want to encourage you to “look back” at everything God has done for you in the past, knowing that He will do it again! Recognize that God’s hand has always been working, always been protecting, and has always been with you and then, take a few moments to thank Him for it.

Let’s get grateful for all that God has done for us so far, and let’s get even more grateful for what He is about to do for us next! When we complain, we remain the same, but when we give thanks doors open, chains break, demons tremble, and serpents flee!

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Find out more about Tori by visiting torifaith.com