Colossians 3:1-3. 5a English Standard Version
Put On the New Self
1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:
When I find it difficult to sleep, my past life appears in my mind’s eye. I can see what I did as a young man who had no control over self. All I can think about is “What was wrong with you? How could you have been like that?” I felt ashamed for him but there was nothing that I could do for him. He is dead now.
Then I realize that my sin nature still remains. I am still capable of doing harm to others, perhaps even more harm because unlike that boy, I have lost my innocence. I know what evil is and what evil does.
Then the calm settles in my soul because I know without a doubt that I am changed. I am His new creation. I am not myself anymore, I am the Lords.
I lost control in that former life. It was only in giving control of my life to Christ that I was set free from the power of sin in my life. My Lord is in control.
I look at self-control differently now. I am free to choose that which is right and good because I am no longer ignorant of what a soul left to its own devices will choose. I have not been alone for a very long time.
He was not wrong when He said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I am not alone. I am not afraid. When memories come I see them for what they are now, a reminder that I have been changed because I am not alone.