Past mistakes can come back to haunt you. Do not live according to your past experiences. Baggage comes in many sizes, from hand bags to trunks. The bigger the unsolved problem, the larger the baggage.
Joseph never let the terrible experience with his brothers weigh him down. Although David endured extreme hardship at the hand of King Saul, he chose to love him and trusted God. Ruth never allowed her broken heart to become bitter. We need to deal with the root of our bitterness, forgive and move on.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:15)
People deal with their baggage in several ways:
- Some live empty or limited lives.
People who live in social, spiritual or economic poverty need to know that Christianity is not about just believing in God but living a God-filled life.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. (Psalm 34:6)
- Some are broken.
There are hurting people everywhere, and they cannot see God beyond their imperfection. They need to come out of hiding and see God as they are.
- Some have surrendered their lives to the rule of another person or situation.
We live in a highly self-absorbed culture, culture that unapologetically ascribes to escapism.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind and to set the oppressed free, …” (Luke 4:18)
- Some have lost their dreams and vision.
Many people have completely given up. They cannot see how their situation could ever improve. We need to know that sometimes our dreams will die for a greater dream. Failure is a step closer to success, and facing it is part and parcel of life.
Chronicles with GOD 