One of the hardest things for me to do is to watch a movie twice. It’s hard enough for me to sit still long enough to watch a movie let alone go back and watch it again. Even the awesome classic movies can’t hold my attention long the second time around. Well, except for Elf. How can you not watch that one over and over again?
Sometimes it’s easier to just keep moving forward and not take the time to look back at where we’ve come from. But there’s value in going back and looking. If you’re like me you tend to forget details and so writing down things is helpful. The next important step after writing down scripture and prayer is to go back and look. This is an important part of our spiritual growth.
Looking back allows us to see where God has been working in ways we wouldn’t recognize otherwise. You’ll find places that you need to add a note in your margin. It will be an answer to prayer. Other times you’ll see that you were praying in one way and clearly, God was working in a different direction but you can see more clearly how that direction was exactly what needed to be. Other times you might find yourself looking back on an entry and saying, “Still waiting. Nothing has changed.” But I guarantee you that looking back on the other things will give you hope to keep waiting on those long-term situations.
Looking back produces hope because we see how God has been working. It gives us a tiny glimpse into his ways. Looking back increases our faith and encourages us to keep going when we feel God is silent.
It takes hindsight to gather perspective. We aren’t trying to figure God out or connect dots in such a way that we try to anticipate his next move. Of course, we can never do that. But recording/dating our prayers and conversations with God help us in looking back to see a fuller picture. It colors in for us voids that we just thought were empty.
So grab a journal. Write out your praise to God, your prayers and what you hear from him. Date it. Then write on your calendar 6 months from now to go back and look. Make that your devotional time for the time. Simply going back and looking. That is your praise session! And then walk away from that time encouraged that your God is still working and worthy to cling to daily.
Thanks for sharing this encouraging post on looking back Melody! It does “color in for us voids.” I love that imagery!
Thank you, Joy and thanks for stopping by!
I have my first prayer journal when I became a Christian at 16. I also remember telling you of a mom I met at park and invited to playgroup and church only to find out you were praying for new unmet neighbor. Her and I met up last week. May be starting up a homeschool group 12 years after we first met and your prayer was answered.
Robyn – that is SO awesome! Wow, that’s the kind of stuff I’m talking about. Our God is so great. I love how you never gave up. Keep at it. Miss ya’ll.
I agree it’s important to look back. I often don’t do that because I want to get on with life and get away from the past but it’s important to see that God does answer our prayers and that we overcame something that at the time was very difficult.
Yep, I hear what you’re saying about wanting to get away from the past and not dwell on those former things. It’s hard to go back and look on those seasons but so worth it. Glad you stopped by today.
Have you read Annie Downs’ new book, “Remember God”? This post reminds me of that same theme. Thanks for sharing at #PorchStories. xo
No I didn’t know she had a new book out. I’d love to read it! Thanks for telling me about it.