“Making Peace With Your Past”
By Bishop T.D. Jakes

When we look toward the horizon, we can see the black hills painted against the backdrop of a brand-new day with the first inkling of sunlight peering out behind the mountains. That light never disappeared; it only returned once the night was over. Even if we say to ourselves, “There is no tomorrow,” there will still be a horizon, for it never loses its luster.

Likewise, we never lose our light from God. The enemy can only dim us because he knows that nothing can separate us from the love of God. By dimming that light, Satan wants us to lose sight of what God has done for us and through us.

If I were in your living room, sitting and talking to you directly, I would imagine that you’re struggling and hanging on by a thread, grappling with your mental health as you balance the problems of this world. There has never been a time like this when everything seems so much more stressful, nonsensical, and shakier, and that has affected you. You’re tired and angry, and you’ve lost interest in what you like to do. I can almost see the bags under your eyes, the dirty dishes in the sink, the lackadaisical way you lean as I write, wondering, “How can God help me this time?”

The answer is this: In all this darkness, God’s light still shines through.

It’s no secret that Jesus predicted we would face trials in this world. But God will use a trial to fuel a triumph. If you took stock in what you’ve been through, only to see that you survived and even thrived in ways you didn’t even know, then the result would be nothing but God. He doesn’t leave us in the dark cave of the enemy without a way to guide us out. All we’ve got to do is rebuke the enemy’s attacks, cry out to God, and talk to ourselves like the victors we are. We aren’t fighting a losing battle in this world; we are fighting from a place of victory.

Look at the horizon right now, and we’ll see nothing but darkness. But if we look again through God’s eyes, we’ll see beauty from ashes. Speak life to yourself when things are rough, and don’t let anyone tell you who you are other than a beautiful, brilliant child of the King.