One episode of the TV show “House” features a grumpy old WWII veteran who lost his hand and forearm in the war. He yells at people, slams his front door in their face, and turns away all who try being nice to him. As the show goes on, we find out he is grumpy because his missing arm is still in pain. Our irritation at his rudeness melts when we hear he lost his arm while attempting to pull a little boy to safety.
To cure the veteran’s pain, the ingenious Dr. House positions the man’s arms in a box with a mirror down the middle. From his vantage point, the man sees his intact arm and its reflection, giving the illusion that he has two whole arms again. Next, Dr. House instructs the man to clench both fists, and then relax them and let go.
His pain disappears.
All those years, this man’s missing arm ached because he couldn’t let go of a boy that was gone. How sad.
But thank goodness Dr. House could solve the mystery and free him from his agony.
This is how I felt a couple weeks ago when I wrote my last blog post. I had suffered from anxiety for years, not knowing why. In frustration, I cried out to the Great Physician for an answer, and he surprised me by suggesting I let go of my past.
It was then that I realized I too was still holding onto irresolvable issues and relationships that were long done and gone. When I followed God’s direction and let go of my past—trusting God to work out all the details of things out of my control—a large layer of anxiety, and the inner ache that went with it, lifted and I have felt much better since.
I literally feel like a heavy backpack has been removed from my shoulders—the space behind me seems vacant and bright (I know this sound weird, but it’s true).
I feel lighter and freer. It’s easier for me to relax, and if you read my posts a year ago you know this is huge. I also have more energy to focus on the present now that nothing is pulling me back from behind. I think my demeanor is becoming more pleasant, too.
I thank God that He knows me better than I know myself, and is able to provide instruction that helps me heal—in this case as most, to save me from myself. Who else could do that? Praise God!
Do you feel like your past is still weighing you down? How has God answered your cry or given you insight on a problem you couldn’t solve?
Photos courtesy of Crestock
The Never Ending Gifts 