Remembering Past Victories During Our Present Difficulties
Remembering past victories can be one of our greatest benefits in our present difficulties.
Going through this current season has caused me to take some time to remember. Recently I thought back to one of our families past victories, when my oldest daughter was about to get married. I remembered her excitement the week before her wedding when she would say, “I do” and begin a new life, in a new place, and a new family.
My oldest daughter is one who has never liked change very much, but of course, this was a change she was very excited about.
On the night of her wedding, her and her husband’s first dance was to a song titled, Storm. Her husband’s best man, introduced the song and explained that they had chosen that song because they knew that life would eventually bring storms. They wanted their first dance to be a testimony and declaration that they would hold on to their faith, their God, and each other when the storms came.
Eleven years later, as I look back on their life and their past victories, I can definitely say that I have watched them live that out.
Remembering Past Victories When Life Changes And The Storm Hits
Now the storm has hit for us all to varying degrees.
While my daughter has never liked change very much, I have always been one to welcome change, but I realize going through the current crisis in our world, that it has brought some unwelcome changes.
Being pretty much confined to my house, hasn’t been the worst part. Not seeing my grandchildren, missing big family dinners together, and keeping my distance from my ninety-one-year-old mother has been the hard part.
Whether we like change or not, change is coming. Everything changes. When life makes a turn for the worse, remember; it’s going to change. When life is coasting along and everything is going exceptionally well, remember; this will change too. The irony of change is it can come as a blessing and sometimes more like a curse.
So How Does Remembering Past Victories Help?
I go back to my previous statement. EVERYTHING CHANGES.
King David was a man who was in and out of crisis situations. David said,
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7
What does remembering the name of the Lord have to do with remembering our past victories? I believe it has everything to do with it because every past victory always points back to the one who will never change.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ,
and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
2 Corinthians 2:14
When our circumstances and situations appear to be unstable, Jesus is the rock or foundation of our life, storms cannot destroy us. Our God who does not change, ALWAYS leads us in triumph in Christ. Therefore, remembering our past victories equals remembering Christ.
Ways I Remember My Spiritual Victories
In my computer, I keep a document that lists my spiritual victories. The first one on the list, is my salvation experience. Other things listed are the moment that I was set free from the bondage of alcohol, when God called me to ministry, various times when God used me to speak into someone else’s life, overcoming spiritual battles, specific moments of God’s provision, opportunities, and so much more.
When I look back and remember these past victories, my confidence, courage, and comfort grow, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. I know that God who gave me so many past victories will also lead me once again in triumph.
For the past several weeks during this Coronavirus crisis, I have daily used Psalm 91 in the Passion Translation to read and pray over myself, my family, my community, and my nation. I love the words of Psalm 91:4 in the Passion Translation!
His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you.
You can run under the covering of majesty and hide.
His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm.
Psalm 91:4
2 Things I Want To Encourage You To Do:
Make a list of your past victories. You can write it in a journal or keep it in your computer, but make sure it is easy to get to. Use it as a way to remember what God has done for you and to encourage you right now.
Use Psalm 91 in the Passion Translation as a prayer. Thank God for His promises of help and deliverance. Ask Him to give you peace in the midst of this current crisis.
Finally, I leave you with one last Psalm to encourage you.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 121:3
