First posted to: https://surehopecounseling.com/ashes-to-beauty-lament-to-thanksgiving/
Thanksgiving is a perspective. Not a set of circumstances.
This year at SureHope we have focused on the spiritual and psychological benefits of lamenting. The amazing aspect about lamenting is when we practice lamenting, we are never far from expressing thanksgiving. A big piece of lamenting is “looking back” and seeing what God has done. When we “look back” at our lives and a situation, we need to be mindful on how we do this for our own wellbeing. There are two areas of scripture that gives an amazing perspective on the concept of “looking back” and how the perspective we take changes everything.
Lot’s Wife and Looking Back
“But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” Gen. 19:26
Lot’s wife looked back as they were fleeing a very vile, evil, traumatic place, and she became “stuck”. Scripture tells us that she became a pillar of salt. When Lot’s wife looked back, she did so in disobedience since they were all warned to not do this. Sometimes, in our lives, we look back on scenes and start to get pulled in unhealthy places in our minds. We start to get stuck and our mind starts to “loop” around on situations until anxiety becomes heightened and depression can grow. When we look back in this way, we are taking a dangerous perspective that will not lead to freedom, but instead our own personal torment.
Jesus and Looking Back
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death Rev. 12:11 KJV
In Revelation 12:11, we are reminded that there is a very power form of looking back that we are very much encouraged to do in our lives. We are to look back and see who God is and what he has done in our lives. Looking back and taking the perspective, the vantage point of what God was doing, saying, giving, creating, is of itself a process of healing. Scripture tells us it is more than just healing; it is overcoming the Enemy. A testimony is very powerful.
When we practice lamenting, we are protecting ourselves from getting stuck in something that may have the potential to steal our joy, kill our peace and destroy our relationships.
As we approach Thanksgiving this year, let us be mindful of the thoughts we may have in our minds that are trying to create havoc in our life, and work through them with lamenting. Lamenting points us in the direction of looking back, seeing how and what God has done, and leaves us with a thankful heart.
This Thanksgiving take the perspective that heals broken hearts and overcomes the Enemy.
“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isa 61:3 KJV
We at SureHope Counseling & Training Center want to wish you and your family/friends a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!
We are thankful for you and it is an honor to work with you!
God bless!
Kelly Saylor -learn more about working with Kelly here!
