"Shake It Off"

Reflections4Life™ December 8, 2019

“Shake It Off!”

“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.” Matthew 10:14

Scripture Contemplation: Judges 16:20; Nehemiah 5:13; Psalm 109:23; Isaiah 43; 2 Thessalonians 2; Hebrews 12…

Life is a journey with many vicissitudes, twists, and turns. Things can happen unexpectedly, affecting our lives in ways we never thought. We have often been told to "Let go and Let God". We do. However, what happens when the memory of the thing we let go of pops up and takes us for a heart-wrenching ride? Those are the times when we must learn to shake it off.

I decree that this week's Reflections are a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. As you let go and let God, let the Father fill you and renew your mind. Think of the great and wonderful things of God and His promises. So, when the shadows of the past come, you can shake it off.

We can be living our lives, all is going well when something will happen, or someone will say something and we are suddenly encumbered by the thoughts and shadows of our past. It can throw us for a loop, disrupting our lives and may even stagnate us for a time.

Letting go was great. However, we need to learn how to shake it off; shake off the remnants of our past before it pulls us down and keeps us from moving forward and living God's best. Our past can be a chokehold on our future if we don't learn how to shake off the reminders that the enemy strategically hits us with; trying to stop our future. Which he can't. He's just hoping we're gullible enough to fall for his continued lies and game of smoke and mirrors.

Isaiah 43:18-19a “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?”

Beloveds, we can let go of the past but still be haunted by its memories. The enemy is wonderful at using our past against us, whispering our unworthiness of the goodness of God’s blessings. The Father desires to do a new thing. As we let go, it does not mean that we are not affected by the memories, however, we can move forward with the knowledge that our past holds no power when God has already forgiven us. It’s just that memories can be powerful tools of the enemy to come and cripple us; always seeming to surface as we are fully prepared to move ahead.

It’s. Just. A. Test. Trust me when I tell you. God is allowing the enemy to try, but once God has already declared you the winner; that’s what it is. The enemy just wants US to think that he has some kind of power, so he tries to intimidate us into submission by dredging up old memories.

The Father tells us not to call to mind the former things or to think about them. He already warns us that it has the ability to steal our attention and make us miss the new thing He is doing. Before you know it, we are repeating the past, and have picked up what we long ago let go. Don’t do it, Beloveds. Shake it off. Shake off the memories, the regrets, and the past, and receive what God has ordained for you today.

Here’s what I know for certain: There are many things that give us pause in our lives. Things we should and have let go of. Sometimes I find that letting go is the easy part. It’s the memories that seem to have a hold on your soul. At unexpected times, memories can bombard you, causing you to feel overwhelmed. These are the times, we must learn to shake it off. Shake off those memories. Shake off the dust of past mistakes, failures, rejection, and disappointment. Shake it all off. We let go, but there seems to be some residue in our mind we're not aware of; like a sheet or layer of dust that can't be seen until the sun or light hits it. When you let go, don't pick it up again. When the light exposes the residue, shake it off. Do not entertain thoughts and memories that steal your joy and claim your peace. When they come...shake it off and keep it moving! There is too much good that God has ahead of you.

I decree that the spirit of peace and of prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Before you, God has designed a road just for you. It is not an easy road, but a rewarding road, filled with the love and promises of God. In order to move forward on this road, you will have to let go of your past. Just know, however, that on this road there are those on the sideline that will look and sound familiar and try to get you off your path. Do not stop. Whatever you do, keep moving. Keep your focus on God, shake off the remnants of the past, and keep walking into the promises of God for your life. Just as there are reminders of your past, there will be reminders of your future. Do not forfeit the gift of today and the blessings of tomorrow, for the memories of a past that God has already forgiven. You are stronger than you believe. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2014. ©2019. Revised. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.