Wednesday, 22 Sept 2021
Title: Let the child in you be free
By Wong King Wai

Philippians 3: 13b – Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead

Sometimes, we get caught in the cycle of self-condemnation and self-incrimination because we have done something terrible in the past. While Paul did do many horrible things in his past, he realizes he cannot focus on what he cannot change and turns his focus on the things he can change and do, with God’s help and strength. Moreover, the end goal of being with God keeps Paul motivated to do all he can for God’s glory with a positive mindset. He also does not dwell and wallow in condemnation for his past mistakes. He has forgiven himself and found his purpose.

If you struggle to let go of the past and need help to love yourself and to accept yourself, you might want to do this simple exercise. Firstly, find a childhood photograph of yourself, when you were below 12 years old. Then find a quiet place and study the photograph intently, noticing every detail of the child in the photograph. Next, close your eyes and imagine this child in a happy and wonderful memory. If you can’t find an actual memory, make up a situation.

In that memory/scenario, pay close attention to what the child is doing, follow the child wherever he or she goes, notice the expression on his/her face. Then imagine the adult you in the scene, and you and the child (which is also you) playing together and spending time together. After some time, imagine you and the child facing each other and you two hugging. Feel the love and compassion for this child. Then slowly see the child merge into you and let the love and compassion sweep over you.

After a while, open your eyes and stare at the photograph again. Then, on a piece of paper, complete sentences that start with “I am….” (for example, I am happy, I am powerful etc). Write as much as you like. After you have run out of ideas, study each sentence. Each of them describes your true essence, the pure “you” before the world corrupted your view of yourself.

Take time to reflect and think about what is revealed and ask God to help you to start living your life based on who you are, who God has created you to be. Review the list regularly to help you keep moving forward in life and do what God has placed in your heart to serve Him so you can glorify and honour Him.

God bless you and keep you, God shine His face upon you and give you peace.

PRAYER: My Father in Heaven. Thank You for being my God. Thank You for giving me a second chance. Help me to know that I have been forgiven of all my sins and that You do not hold them against me and neither should I. Guide me to serve You and to honour You in all that I do. Thank You for everything. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN.

班底浸信教会
每日灵粮
星期三, 2021年9月22日
标题：让您内心的孩子自由吧
作者：黄经为弟兄
翻译：陈健萍姐妹

【腓立比书3:13下】 我只有一件事，就是忘记背后努力面前的。

有时，因为我们过去做了一些很不好的事情，我们会陷入自我谴责和自证其罪的循环中。虽然保罗在过去确实做了许多可怕的事，但他意识到他不能专注于他无能改变的事情，而在上帝的帮助和力量下，把注意力转向他可以改变和可以做的事情上。此外，与上帝同在的最终目标使保罗有动力以积极的心态为上帝的荣耀竭尽所能。他也不会沉湎在对自己昔日过犯的谴责中；他原谅了自己，找到了自己的目标。

如果您在努力摆脱过去，需要帮助去爱自己、接受自己，您可能会想要做这个简单的练习。首先，找一张您12岁以下的童年照片。然后找一个安静的地方，专心地研究这张照片，留意照片中孩子的每一个细节。接下来，闭上您的眼睛，想象这个孩子在一个快乐而美好的记忆中。如果您找不到真实的记忆，就编造一个情境。

在那记忆/情境中，要密切关注孩子的举动，无论他或她到任何地方，都跟着并注意他/她脸上的表情。之后想象成人的您在情境中，您和孩子(也是您)一起玩耍，一起度过时光。过了一段时间，想象您和孩子面对面拥抱在一起。感受一下您对这个孩子的爱和怜惜。然后慢慢地看着孩子融入您，让爱和怜惜席卷您。

过了一会儿，睁开眼睛，再次凝视这张照片。然后，在一张纸上，完成以 “我/我是…。” 开头的句子。(例如：我很快乐，我很强大等等)。您想写多少就写多少。当您再也想不出了，仔细看这些句子。它们每一个都描述了您的真实本质，在这个世界破坏您对自己的看法之前的纯净的 “您”。

花时间自省和思想所得的启示，并求上帝帮助您开始生活在您是谁、上帝创造您要成为谁的基础上。定期查看列表以帮助您在生活中不断前进，并作上帝放在您心中服事祂的事情，这样您就能荣耀并尊崇祂。

愿耶和华赐福给您，保护您。愿耶和华使祂的脸光照您，赐您平安。

祈祷：我在天上的父，祢是我的上帝，我感谢祢。感谢祢给我第二次机会。求祢帮助我知晓，我所有的罪都已被赦免，祢不会因为我的罪过而谴责我，我也不应该这样做。求祢引导我服侍祢，在我所行的一切事上尊荣祢。感谢您所作的一切。我奉耶稣的名祈祷，阿们。