Negative Experiences Can Produce Positive Results

by Iris Subel Davis

 
[ene_ptp]A few years ago, I went through a difficult period that is described in God’s Promise of Victory. By way of introduction to this monthly blog, I’d like to offer this first entry to the reader as an insight into some of the topics that might be discussed in this forum.
Disclaimer: These entries are purely a mental dialogue offered up as a point that might be considered prayerfully and in context with wherever the reader might be in his/her personal walk of life.
Today, I was on a trip with some of my family. One of our members had asked us to take her back to multiple sites in our city that were a part of her childhood and deeply imbedded in her heart for reasons that only she would know. We asked her to make a list; I plotted a route; and off we went.
As the day went on, she began re-counting tales of her life that correlated with each location. She was laughing as she re-told events in her life that others would have found shocking. We were not sure whether to laugh with her or offer condolences. Some events, quite clearly, had had a profound impact on her. Another family member, who was obviously uncomfortable with her memories, made a statement about how everything that came out of her mouth was negative. He sorely missed the point of today’s trip, for her and himself.
Later, as I read my daily devotion, I was taken to Job 40 where the Lord asked Job, “Where were you when I formed the world?” God repeatedly pointed out to Job that He alone is responsible and in control of all moments in one’s life. The main point of the devotion was to “take notice.”
As I read that, I thought about how many people do not like to take notice of the negative things in life. Clearly, today, my family member wanted to re-visit the places where things happened that helped shaped her into the strong, resilient woman that she has become.
Re-visiting negative memories once you are healed is actually quite healthy—and normal. We often need to see these “monsters” in the light of our new reality as a way of understanding that we suffered, endured, grew, and moved on. I imagine that everything looked quite different to her today, as many of the places she had not seen in over 65 years. My heart rallied for her as she looked her demons in the eye and said in her heart, “My Jesus helped me overcome you, satan.”
My heart also broke for our family member who could not see the heritage of strength and courage that runs through his veins. I pray that one day it will become clear before it is too late for him to appreciate the person that is right before him.
I shared this experience because I want you, the reader, to know that whenever I write here—I will be thinking of that. I learned through my life experience that being willing to talk about the negative can help so many people. It isn’t to glorify the negative. It is to illustrate to others; to shine a light on; to help lead others towards an alternate route that they might never have considered out of many of life’s deepest, darkest times.
If just one person grasps the concept, it was meant to be. Please feel free to comment below with any questions or concerns that you might have. I am not a counselor; just a person with a lot of life experience. If you provide your email address, I will follow up with you.
Thank you for stopping by, and I’ll see you next month!

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Click on the author’s picture for a bio and on the book cover for information on the book.