Friday, May 13, 2016

When Looking Back Propels You Forward

Hey Friend,

I haven't written for awhile because I've been quite busy with my responsibilities in heading up Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc.  Most things we read, including the Bible, urge us to forget what is/was in the past and press on toward the goal that lies ahead.  This is wise and sage advice.  Ruminating over past mistakes helps no one and only furthers the enemy's purpose.

I've been thinking, lately, about when looking back can actually be good for us.

I grew up in a staunch Presbyterian church.  We sang hymns that dated back centuries.  One such hymn I remember is, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" written by Robert Robinson in 1758.  I kind of got the fist verse, but the second verse was a complete mystery to me.

It begins with, "Here I raise my Ebenezer...".  My thoughts at the time were what was a character from a Dickens novel doing in a church hymn?  Never thought too much more about it until I was in a Bible study and it talked about 1 Samuel 7.  In it, the prophet Samuel and the Israelites found themselves under attack by the Philistines.  Fearing for their lives, the Israelites begged Samuel the prophet to pray for them in their impending battle against this enemy. 

Samuel offered a sacrifice to God and prayed for His protection.  God listened to Samuel, causing the Philistines to lose the battle and retreat back to their own territory.  After the Israelite victory, the Bible records: "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far the Lord has helped us.'" (1 Samuel 7:12)

The word Ebenezer comes from the Hebrew words 'Eben ha-ezer, which simply means "stone of help".  An Ebenezer, then, is simply a monumental stone set up to signify the great help that God granted the one raising the stone.

I have found that when I have fear or trepidation about going forward, it does me good to look backward and count my Ebenezers - the monuments that acknowledge God's bountiful blessings and help in my life.

For example...after my daughter was born, I had terrible post-partum depression.  Everyone, including the doctor, said it would pass.  It didn't.  Over the next couple years it grew worse.  The insidious ruminating and obsessing over things and the anxiety that accompanied it were excruciating.  There were times that I pondered if I could keep going on like this?  I remember vividly one day - sobbing hysterically in my bed - begging God to help me...to save me.  There were few words...just the Holy Spirit interceding with groans on my behalf.

As a last ditch attempt, I went to see a new Christian counselor and physician duo who finally diagnosed OCD (anxiety disorder) and depression (which often accompanies anxiety).  It was not that long after I was on the medication, that the dark, gray veil began to lift from my eyes.  God lifted me out of the slimy pit that I was in and He gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my heart (Psalm 40). 

The Lord heard me and He helped me, so here I raised my Ebenezer.

The Lord brought me through subsequent bouts with the OCD...each time I thanked Him and raised an Ebenezer.  He never left me stuck.  He was faithful to bring me through the valleys.

I faced the scare of the big "C" and all the testing and waiting and treatment that goes with it.

The Lord was faithful so I raised yet another Ebenezer.

Through multiple surgeries with long recuperations.  Through a difficult marriage and a long drawn out divorce...the Lord stayed close.  The battles were not easy and the enemy did his best to derail me, but the Lord prevailed.  He helped me.  He brought me through. He was faithful to His promises. 

So when I stand frightened or overwhelmed or doubtful about what lies before me...I look backward...

There on the horizon I see one monument after another after another of God's faithfulness to me.  I stand here now because He saw me through.  He was my stone of help - my Ebenezer.

This exercise in looking back, gives me the confidence to go forward.

Through each trial, God was growing and refining my character and in doing so He gave me the gift of HOPE!

"I boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but I glory in my sufferings, because I know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character hope.  And hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to me."  (personalization of Romans 5: 2-5)

What hinders you from going forward with confidence?  What Ebenezers have you raised in your life?  If you haven't built monuments...where would be good places to build them now to remind you of God's help in your life?  What lessons would God have you take from the past to propel you into the future?

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for all the times, even when I've been unfaithful, you have remained faithful.  Thank you for the times that I called upon you and you heard my cry and you rescued me.  Even when I couldn't "feel" you, you were always there right beside me.  I praise you for being my everlasting help in times of trouble.  For all the times I've overlooked, I raise those Ebenezers now.  When the future scares me, let me look back and take confidence from all the monuments of your help in times of trouble and in times or prosperity.  You are truly faithful and let your faithfulness be my hope.  In Jesus' name I pray.  Amen.

Be blessed...



Miraculous things are happening in the lives of children who've been sponsored.  Off the streets and into a Christian school environment...their lives are being transformed!!  We desperately need help getting these children off the streets and into the classroom...would you consider giving so that they might have hope??
Even if you can't sponsor a child yourself would you consider a partial sponsorship?
Thank you...

34 comments:

  1. Thank you for this beautiful post. Ebenezers are SO powerful, aren't they. Loved reading through yours here: what a powerful, redeeming, loving Father we have.

    The stories my parents told of God's miraculous provision growing up have often been my Ebenezers in the times of doubt...they have tethered me to God's Love. And now my biggest Ebenezer is the deep valley of PTSD He pulled me out of. I love the Psalms because of this too: because David so often refers back to his Ebenezers in the midst of his struggles...and it is then we see Him return to praising God and light breaking through.

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    1. Anna,
      What a great thought, that we, as parents, need to share with our children evidence of Ebenezers through Biblical history and through our history. What better stories to share than those that recount God's faithfulness. I love your insights about David who, through his struggle, always came back to praising God for His faithfulness.
      Blessings sweet friend,
      Bev

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  2. Bev, this is such a beautiful post. Ever since I came across that very portion about the Ebenezer stones, I have loved looking back. May we realize how faith-building it can be when we look back and see the many places our God has been faithful. Lovely post!

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    1. Joanne,
      Thank you for your wonderful encouragement. So many times we're told to forget the past. Yet, the past can hold such wonderful reminders of God's awe inspiring faithfulness. Joining with you in loving to look back on His goodness.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  3. Oh, Bev. This is so beautiful. Makes me want to start a stone collection...for each time I recognize the Lord's faithfulness to me. Oh, but there wouldn't be room to contain them, would there? He's such a good God. Thank you for sharing this. I just wrote something similar last week (yet unpublished), but I love the angle you take with this. It's beautiful, Bev. ((grace upon grace upon grace to you, my friend)) xoxo

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    1. Brenda,
      No, there wouldn't be room to contain all those stones. You hit on the key...recognizing the Lord's faithfulness. I'm sure there are so many more times than the ones I recall. Taking time, right now, to ponder the stones of help that I may have overlooked. Thank you for your wonderful encouragement!!
      Blessings and ((hugs))
      Bev xo

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  4. Your words are so beautiful and affirm my need for letting go and moving forward. I just heard about Ebenezer stones today and love how you used that image each time you overcame a hurdle in your life. The past is past and we do not need to go back. These words right here really spoke to me today..."Through each trial, God was growing and refining my character and in doing so He gave me the gift of HOPE!" Here's to seeking hope as we move away from the past by letting go to embrace the future. Blessings!

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    1. Mary,
      May looking back over the faithfulness of God in your life in the past, give you strength, courage, and hope to let go and step forward, with confidence, into what the future holds. I know God has great things in store!!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  5. Bev, as always, your words have helped me this week! God sure has used you, sister. God is good ALL the time and if I saved every Ebenezer stone that I built for God, I sure wouldn't have room in my apartment!! God has given us ALL hope and I pray for you especially this week and all the children and teachers at RCS.

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    1. Lisa,
      My faithful "fan" from the beginning :) Yes, when I truly look back and count...that's a whole lotta stone!! Praying for you as you put one foot in front of the other and move forward with Him. Thanks for your prayers for the children and the school!! You are such a blessings!!
      ((Hugs)),
      Bev

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  6. "Hither by thy help I'm come."
    I love that hymn, and I've loved reading your story this morning. Thanks for sharing so deeply.

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    1. Michele,
      YES!! Only by His grace have I come hither!! This was such a helpful exercise for me spiritually and in writing and capturing my Ebenezers...so glad you found encouragement here!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  7. You are so right, Bev. We do need to look back at those Ebenezers. I also find that when God reminds me of something that I'd sooner forget, it's to remind me not to go back down that road! Happy Tuesday, friend.

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    1. Holly,
      So true...sometime not so good memories keep me from repeating past mistakes, which for some reason, I'm prone to do. Thanks for your insights here!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  8. Such hope leaks through this post! Love that we all have Ebenezers in our life, but that we just have to look back and see them! So beautiful the faces of all those children as well! Blessings! Visiting from Jennifers!

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    1. Jen,
      That's right, we ALL have Ebenezers and we do well to repeatedly look back to reflect upon them. Aren't the children beautiful...you should see pictures after they've been sponsored and are in school for a while...their smiles are radiant!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  9. Just beautiful, Bev! I especially love this and can say the same of my life: "There on the horizon I see one monument after another after another of God's faithfulness to me. I stand here now because He saw me through. He was my stone of help - my Ebenezer." Thanks for sharing!! #RaRaLinkup

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    1. Bethany,
      That's what strikes me too, that there's not just one or two, it's one after the other. I then wonder why I have any doubts at all when I have such faithfulness to look back upon?
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  10. Hey neighbor at Beth's...I love the explanation of the hymn and Ebenezer... ;)

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    1. Susan,
      Now that I know its meaning...it makes so much sense to build monuments to remind ourselves of God's faithfulness, because we are human and doubts arise and these stones are always there to remind us there is hope.
      Blessings and thanks for stopping by!
      Bev

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  11. Dear Bev ... some of your most difficult chapters ring true for me as well. In this season, I continue thanking God that He specializes in redeeming our brokneness ... and somehow can use it for His glory.

    And that, my dear, is what we see you doing!

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    1. Linda,
      Not that I'm glad we share some of the same difficult chapters, but each one that we've come through is another Ebenezer of God's faithfulness to give us hope and urge us onward. Thanks for your encouragement, as always!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  12. Long ago I read about a family that did collect stones for the Ebenezers in their lives--times when God protected, provided, guided, etc. They wrote on each stone with a Sharpie, briefly describing the miracle and included the date. As I recall, at the time the father wrote the article, they had several large jars on a shelf holding their sizable collection of Ebenezers! In place of stones, I've used a notebook to write down the miracles and special blessings God has bestowed on our family. I began in 1983 when our children were young; now they're married and we have two grandchildren. The notebook contains well over 1000 Ebenezers! (Perhaps it's a good thing I didn't use stones. We've moved six times since then. Can't imagine moving hundreds of stones!!)

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    1. Nancy,
      What a great idea...I am a very visual learner and this would be a great, tangible reminder of all the times God has been faithful. Oh the jars I could fill!! I love your idea of capturing them in a journal - also very tangible - and a wonderful legacy to pass on through your family!! Great ideas! Thanks for sharing...I always love your ideas! Getting a smile over moving boxes of stones :)
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  13. I remember the first time I heard that hymn wondering what on earth it was talking about! But now that I know, I love the idea of Ebenezers. It is so important to remember God's help in the past and it definitely gives us confidence when we face difficult times to look back and remember his faithfulness. Thanks for sharing where you have known God's help in difficult times. When I wrote my 31 Days series about healing from abuse I called the last post "My Ebenezer" and the whole series was meant to be a reminder of God's help so far.

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    1. Carly,
      You and me both...Ebenezer?? I will have to check out your 31 day series...what a testimony you have of what you and God have come through together!! Our Ebenezers are not just for us to see, but for others to witness and be in awe of God's faithfulness. I know others are blessed by your story!
      Blessings and ((hugs)),
      Bev

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  14. Hey, it's been a while since I've read your post.
    Always so amazingly inspiring. I love the idea of Ebenezers. God is always there to give a helping hand in times of trouble.

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    1. Lux,
      Welcome back!! Glad you found some encouragement here. Ever since I came to understand the significance of Ebenezers, I have tried to make a conscious effort to build them and look back upon them to see God's helping hand.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  15. Beautiful. Simply beautiful --your life is a testimony to God's faithfulness and great love. I am married to a guy from Pittsburgh and although he has lived in Maryland for 40 years, the "Burgh" in him is still there! We call it "The Motherland". :-) Visiting you from Sue Detweiler's link up! :-)

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    1. Laura,
      The Motherland...I love it!! We've been glued to the TV cheering the Pens on, hopefully, to the Stanley Cup. So glad you stopped by from Sue's link up - welcome!! So good to have you here! God certainly has poured out His love on me and I am truly blessed!!
      Blessings to you and a high 5 to your hubby on last night's win :)
      Bev

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  16. I absolutely love the idea of counting our "Ebenezers"! And I agree, looking backward to sift through our experiences and emotions is beneficial when seeking the Ebenezers. I'm in love with this idea - a fabulous picture of God's faithfulness and protection. Thank you, thank you!

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    1. Carrie,
      Yes, looking back we have to sift through our emotions, but what stands higher and above our feelings, are the Ebenezers. God's faithfulness always trumps our feelings and emotions...that's a hard lesson I'm having to learn. Glad you found some encouragement here.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  17. I did not know the meaning of Ebenezer either - thank you for sharing! I've always enjoyed singing Come Thou Fount. You have been through so much, Bev. God has turned your tests into a beautiful testimony. I too, struggled with post-partum depression after the birth of our second daughter.

    Thank you kindly for stopping by my blog and leaving kind words. Bless you!

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    1. Lora,
      Once I learned the meaning of Ebenezer, it made looking back a whole new experience! I do pray that others would see Christ's work in me- I want that to be my testimony.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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