By: David McFadden

We all have our own unique life story. Our story is our past and the myriad of influences and life events that shape us. Some of our experiences are uplifting and inspirational, while others are devastating, hurtful, and wounding to our hearts and minds. Our narrative is how we express our outcome, as well as define ourselves to others based on our perspective about our story. In other words, what we tell others about ourselves, based on our story, will define who we are. (The previous sentences are extraordinary, so you might want to read them again.)

The words “story” and “narrative” are known as synonyms. However, in this illustration, I want to make a distinction because the bright future God has for you may depend on it.

Your story is your past—the myriad of influences and life events that have shaped you, as well as the memories and emotions attached to them. On the other hand, your narrative is what you say about your past—it is how you relate to what has happened to you. Here is how and why this distinction is so important. As a Christian, you have been given a new life; God has set you on a new path so your future is divorced from your past. This means that your old story is dead and therefore ought not to be reflected by your current narrative. Jesus came to give you a new story and a new narrative.

When you were born again, you became a new creation in Christ. Your story has a new beginning; you have a new future that is removed from the past.

(2 Corinthians 5:17-18) says it this way,

“...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” NKJV

We have all heard the saying, “We shouldn’t allow our past to define our future.” For people who have been traumatically wounded, this is a hard saying because the past does indeed encroach on the present and seemingly threatens the future. For some people, this feels like being hopelessly stuck.

However, if we cling to the past by continuing to verbalize a dead narrative that no longer applies, we putrefy what God has done for us. Things that are dead stink.

Our words are powerful.

(Proverbs 18:21) tells us that the tongue can bring death or life. What you say about yourself and others has the power to destroy or build up. The point is that God has given you a new hope and a bright future and your narrative, your spoken words, can drag your dead past into your bright and living future, only to diminish it.

I wrote recently, “One way we please God is to walk in the full potential that He has reserved for us. Choosing to walk at our full potential is a response to God’s love. God paid a very high price to redeem us, to restore us, and to heal our wounded hearts. He did this so that we can walk in His glory. This means that when we make the choice to walk in the wholeness God has provided, He is glorified.”

God wants to heal your wounded heart and give you a new narrative. Your past is your past and no one can change that. However, the Bible explains how God rewrites your future when you come to Him and give Him your wounded and broken heart. This is Good News for anyone, especially a person who suffers brokenness and the relentless pain that engenders hopelessness. You have a choice.

You can continue to bring your past story into the present by your narrative or your narrative can tell your new story that God has created for you. The words we speak can, and will, keep us imprisoned or have the power to set us free.

Heavenly Father, thank You for looking ahead in time and seeing my need for a savior. You sent Your son, Jesus, to die for me so that I can have eternal life with You. Heavenly Father, Your Word says that You desire that I prosper and be in good health—I receive Your word for me. I just learned about Your desire to heal me and set me free from the heart wounds of my past. Lord, I believe Your Word when it says that Jesus came to redeem me and to restore me through His precious blood that He shed on the cross for me. I now receive Your provision for my healing in Jesus' name. Heavenly Father, I apply the blood of Jesus to my mind. I ask You to heal my emotions that have been imprinted with offenses, trauma, and distress from my past, as well as the associated memories that threaten to destroy my future. I choose the new story and the new narrative that You have given to me in Jesus. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Excerpted and adapted from, “Prayer by the Book” - Available on Amazon.com by clicking here: Prayer by the Book

CHRISTIANS ENGAGED NEEDS YOU!

Would you consider partnering with us as a monthly donor to support the work of our nonprofit ministry? Or maybe a generous one-time donation?