Tearing Down, Letting Go, Building Up
“But now put away and rid yourselves of all these things; anger, rage, bad feelings toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips! And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image [the likeness] of Him Who created it. Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones, by putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and]patience [which is tireless and long suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes with good temper]. Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference [a grievance or complaint] against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].” (Colossians 3:8, 10, 12-14)
At times we all focus on or act out thoughts and emotions that stem from something we believe to be the truth about ourselves or others, even though it isn’t. For example, if a child is told they are stupid, ugly, worthless, etc., they will believe that is who they are, even though it is a lie, and not the truth. To some extent, we all have negative patterns that have been set up in our lives as a result of the emotions attached to our false, negative, beliefs. This is why we must go back to undo the wrong thinking, which we have brought into our present. First, there must be times for self-reflection, as we deal with our raw emotions and the untruths we have embraced. Many need help during this process, (pastor, counselor, friend) to push forward through the challenges and work of tearing down. Next, after the emotions are felt and the truth has replaced the lies, it is time to let go and put the past away. Now, it is God’s turn to build us up, creating a new and better way of life, and revealing His unconditional love to us. It’s a new day! So, as we continue to grow and move forward emotionally and spiritually-don’t give up-GOD wants to tear down the old so He can build us up, and bring harmony and peace to our souls.