Rendering the Past Powerless

 


1 Corinthians 13:11

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.”

1 Peter 3:20

“God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.”

Psalm 35:5

“Blow them away like chaff in the wind—

a wind sent by the angel of the Lord.”

Genesis 2:3

“And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.”

Philippians 4:7

“Then I will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. His peace will guard my heart and mind as I live in Christ Jesus.”


Rendering the Past Powerless (Katargeo)

It took me many years to finally let down my guard. For so long, I lived in survival mode—protecting, bracing, expecting harm. But in 1 Corinthians 13:11, I see that growing in Christ is not just about aging—it is about transformation.

When I chose to surrender my past to God, He helped me put away what no longer served His purpose in my life. The weight of an abusive childhood did not disappear overnight, but through His Spirit, those memories began to lose their power over me. What once controlled my thoughts and reactions no longer defines my present peace. God didn’t erase my story—He redeemed it.

The Strength of the Long-Tempered God (Makrothumia)

There are moments I look back and wish I had been more patient, especially as a mother. But 1 Peter 3:20 reminds me of God’s incredible patience—His long-tempered love.

Just as He waited while Noah built the ark, He waited with me.

God did not rush my healing. He sat with me through the years it took to feel safe, to trust again, to let someone like Ross into my life, and ultimately to trust Him fully. He understood the pace my heart needed. His patience wasn’t passive—it was loving, steady, and faithful.

The God Who Pushes Back the Darkness (Dachah)

There was a time when fear ruled my life. But I now see that even in my earliest years, God was already fighting for me.

Psalm 35:5 paints a powerful picture—God sending His angel to drive away the enemy like chaff in the wind. I believe He did that for me.

Even as a child, when I experienced His presence, He was establishing a boundary the enemy could not cross. The strength that rose up in me—the courage, the righteous anger—was not my own. It was God pushing back the darkness, giving me the power to break the cycle of abuse.

The Peace of a Sanctified Life (Qadash)

Now, I find myself in a different place—a place I never thought I would reach.

Genesis 2:3 speaks of God sanctifying the day of rest. This kind of rest is not just physical—it is spiritual. It is being set apart.

My life is no longer defined by fear or anger. God has taken what was broken and set it apart for His purpose. The chaos has been replaced with His peace.

And as Philippians 4:7 promises, I now experience a peace that goes beyond understanding—a peace that guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

I am no longer surviving.

I am being sanctified.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for never leaving me—not even in the darkest moments of my life. Thank You for Your patience as I walked through years of healing. You did not rush me, but lovingly guided me into freedom.

Lord, thank You for rendering powerless the pain of my past. Thank You for standing between me and the enemy, for protecting me, and for giving me strength when I had none.

You have taken what was broken and made it holy. You have replaced fear with peace and pain with purpose. Help me continue to walk in that sanctified life—set apart for You.

Use my story, Lord, as a light for others who are still walking through darkness. Let them see that healing is possible, that freedom is real, and that You are faithful through it all.

I trust You with my past, my present, and my future.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory,

forever and ever. Amen.

BELIEVE • OBEY • BE BLESSED • AMEN

BOBBA❤️

Love, Penny 💛 

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