The I-FactorSample

I believe one of the most desperate needs among people is to gain a clear understanding of how God sees us. It will revolutionize the way we see ourselves and the way we view others. All believers accept Jesus’ death on the cross as an intellectual reality, but some fail to grasp in their hearts how dramatically His sacrifice impacts our everyday lives.

The crucifixion means that every sin in our past has been washed away, every wound has been healed, and every bondage has been broken. The tide of blood that flowed from Calvary has carried away everything that would make us feel guilty, ashamed, bitter, and regretful, and has made possible a life of total freedom, healing, wholeness, and redemption. It gives us a fresh start every single day. . .

Many times, people allow their pasts to define their presents and their futures. I have seen this happen time and time again. I have known women who felt guilty about wanting to have children and thought they did not deserve the joy of motherhood because they had abortions in their pasts.

I know divorced people who are afraid to fall in love again because the pain of broken marriage still haunts them. I know businesspeople who will not even try to fulfill their potential because someone stole from them or cheated them out of what they had worked for years ago. I know people who cannot even see their good qualities because they grew up being told they were stupid, worthless, irresponsible, or ugly.

Perhaps you also know people who have suffered these same situations or something similar. Maybe I’ve even described you.

Now is the time—I mean right now, this minute—to make up your mind that your past no longer matters. When it doesn’t matter, it can’t influence you. Until the past is rendered impotent in your mind, it will affect the way you see yourself, the way you view others, and the way you think about your future, whether you realize it or not. It’s time for that to stop. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, emphasis added).

Here’s the truth: Your past does not belong to you. It does not have to haunt you or hover over your mind anymore. It belongs to God and that’s why He can rewrite it as He chooses.