How does trusting God help us view past troubles as "waters that have passed"? Our Key Text “For you will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed.” – Job 11:16 What the Image of Flowing Water Teaches • Once a river’s current has swept past, it cannot return; it is forever behind us. • Troubles surrendered to God become part of the landscape, not the present flood. • The memory remains, but the threat is gone—just a faint ripple downstream. Why Trusting God Changes Our Memory of Pain • His sovereignty: Psalm 103:19—He “rules over all,” so no trial ever escapes His control. • His goodness: Romans 8:28—He “works all things together for good” for those who love Him. • His faithfulness: Lamentations 3:22-23—new mercies each morning assure us yesterday’s storm will not define today. • His perspective: Isaiah 55:8-9—He sees the full river’s course when we only glimpse a bend. Promises That Help Us Let the Waters Pass • Isaiah 43:18-19—“Do not remember the former things…Look, I am doing a new thing.” • 2 Corinthians 4:17-18—present affliction is “momentary…producing an eternal weight of glory.” • Psalm 46:1-3—even if waters roar and foam, God is “a very present help in trouble.” • Philippians 3:13-14—“Forgetting what is behind…pressing on toward the goal.” From Trouble to Testimony: Biblical Snapshots • Joseph – Genesis 50:20: what brothers meant for evil, God used for saving many lives. • David – Psalm 30:11: mourning turned to dancing. • Paul – Philippians 1:12: imprisonment advanced the gospel. Each remembered hardship as flowing water—real, yet powerless to drown them in the present. Practical Steps to View Past Troubles Like Passed Waters • Remember deliberately—replay God’s deliverances more than the pain. • Saturate your thinking with Scripture; let truth set the emotional tone. • Thank God aloud for specific lessons learned; gratitude disarms regret. • Share your story; testimony turns private wounds into public praise. • Serve someone currently in a storm; compassion cements perspective. • Guard today’s trust—ongoing faith keeps yesterday’s waters from swirling back. Encouragement for the Journey The river keeps moving. Anchor your heart in the unchanging character of God, and every memory of misery will drift downstream, leaving behind a clearer view of His faithfulness and a stronger confidence for whatever lies ahead. |
    |