Forward Progress

Post Traumatic Stress disorder or PTSD can be described as the Brain is trying to make sense out of something that just does not make sense.

The person experiencing PTSD is actually allowing the same traumatic event to run through their mind thus relieving the trauma over and over again trying to get a different result or simply one that makes sense.

When they replay these traumas they are continually looking for a reason for the trauma, they will blame people, circumstance, maybe even God during these replays until they come to the place were they understand that there is no way to make sense of the trauma.

At this point the brain is able to move on but sometimes the person dealing with the trauma is not ready to move on.

Reliving these events is normal and important for healing but some never get to acceptance of the event…this is what causes greater trauma in their lives.

I think that the world is going through a collective PTSD....Over the past few years you name it the world has gone through it…and even though we want to just move on many have still not processed the trauma in a healthy way.

It seems that many are still replaying all the events of the past either to place blame or looking for ways to make sense of everything that has happened the last several years.

In short much of the world is stuck trying to make sense of something that we can’t make sense of and it is keeping us from living in the present. It is also keeping us from believing in a brighter tomorrow.

There is great power if accepting the past and moving on. I don’t mean ignoring the past…I am suggesting letting the past be the past so we can move forward into God’s greater plan.

Forward progress happens by focusing on God’s future instead of Replaying the past.

This is vital to our emotional and our spiritual health…This gives us permission to live in peace instead of constant turmoil.

When we are stuck in our past things like Cynicism, Anger, continuous outrage, Negative self talk or an overestimated view of self keeps us from being comfortable around family, friends, it keeps us from being content in our careers or hopeful for the future.

There are entirely too many people stuck in the PTSD loop both spiritually and emotionally....You might even be stuck...

God wants more for you…

Paul starts this chapter talking about the past. Verse 4-11 what a good Jew he was but how it is all worthless unless we are in the will of God…He understands the key to an abundant future does not lie in his past but in his present relationship with God.

Philippians 3:10-11 “10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!”

Then He goes on to explain that even though this is what matters He has not arrived.

Philippians 3:12-14

“12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

In all three of our main verses Paul repeats the concept of Forward progress…I press on....Forgetting the past and looking forward, I press on again....

It is absolutely fine that we are not there yet....It is not ok to stop the pursuit.

In fact....If you and I are in circumstances where we don’t feel like we have “Arrived” we can consider ourselves in good company. Paul does not feel as if he has arrived either…I don’t think he felt that he had arrived even unto his death…and his answer for us when we feel this way is short but not simple.

Keep on Going....Keep on striving…Press on…make forward progres!

Don’t give up…TURN AND SAY DON’T GIVE UP!

Not out of a sense of hopelessness but in the optimism that comes with understanding the Jesus will return and all of our efforts will not be in vain.

When we concentrate on forward progress we give hope to our future.

When we give up the pursuit of God ie…bible study, prayer, gathering in worship, or developing relationships with others we give the past power over our future.

This matters becuase:

If you don’t let go of your Past your Past will Not let go of You

Let go of power of the Past by Creating a Rule of life.

What is a rule of Life? Simply stated a rule of life is a plan that keeps you focused on God’s presence in the WELL.......Present.

Once we create this plan we must commit to the plan no matter what excuses we may have for abandoning it.

These excuses usually come in the form of past memories or future worries.

A Holy Spirit led Rule of Life keeps us grounded and focused on what is right in front of us not what is ahead and not what is behind.

First Steps to a Rule of Life:

How bad do I want my life to change?

Am I willing to rearrange my life for what my Heart most wants?

This means we have to tame the doubts of our mind. Thoughts like...I don’t have time, its too hard, you name it will give you a thousand reasons to give up…Don’t!

What is most important to me? A Close relationship with God or Control of my own life?

Be honest…if control is your goal nothing will change...

Start with a weekly plan then move to monthly, and yearly. I know this seems like a lot of work but there is no time frame for it…only a commitment to seeking God’s help putting it together.

Write out your plan…I know this is starting to sound like an assignment and it kind of is. The response to a message like this requires thoughtful and intentional steps forward if we are going to change our life.

What are the Daily changes I need to make it my life?

This could be a daily practice of solitude for 30 min to and hour With NO technology, Maybe it starts with prayer moves in to scripture reading and reflecting on your intentions for the day.

Weekly rhythms could be: an absolute commitment to a sabbath…a time where nothing moves you away from worshipping as a family…maybe everyone disconnects from tech for a period of time for the purpose of catching up with each other with no distractions…board games (yes Fun is part of sabbath), Commit to meeting with a small group to fellowship and grow in faith....(these are just suggestions not mandates)

Monthly, meet one on one with a mentor, or your pastor for prayer, commit to a ministry, mentor a younger person (Child)

Yearly…I know its big but at lease one vacation with the family…and maybe one Spiritual growth weekend. The list could go on.

Hopefully you

Maybe you want to start all of this by making an appointment with me to help you start? Maybe as a Small group you can begin the process of developing this together.

Now all of this may sound like a lot of work…and for far too long we have been led to believe that what we believe is all that matters…but belief without practice is not enough for real life.

Today you have the power to take the power away from your past.

Live the life God created you to live not the life you feel trapped in.

Prayer...

Communion/Benediction