I think we need to get better at reframing history. I am not talking about rewriting history. Rewriting history means I go in with my eraser and pencil, then I take out the things I don’t like or don’t want to remember and insert fresh history, hot off the press. I don’t know from personal experience, but I imagine that someone who has experienced horrific events in their life would be easily tempted to rewrite history. To forget it ever happened. Or to pretend that it was something it wasn’t.

I don’t think we are supposed to rewrite history, but I do think we need to reframe history.

As I was reading in Psalms today, I was struck by the thought that the Psalmists and Prophets are good at reframing history. When the Psalmists talk about Israel’s history, they show how God moved and protected and provided and loved all throughout Israel’s history. That’s reframing history. Those things did happen; God moved and protected and provided and loved. But you could easily reframe Israel’s history another way. For example, you could talk about how Israel was a nation of screw-ups, constantly abandoning God for something less, and never learning from their mistakes. Generalizations aside, probably true, but a completely different perspective on history.

We are inextricably linked to our past. It has shaped us in powerful ways. Our past has shaped our perspective. Our past has formed our current reactions and responses. You can’t get rid of your past. It is there. There is no denying it, and there is no point in trying to. In fact, I don’t think God asks us to or wants us to. I think God wants to help us reframe our history.

Isn’t that what salvation is? Isn’t that what the Psalmists and Prophets did? Isn’t that what Joseph did in Genesis?

Stop trying to get rid of your past. Stop complaining about your past. And, for the majority of us, don’t be lazy in understanding your past. Reframe your history.

Do an exercise with me. Reframe your history with the God’s protection, provision, and love at the forefront. Don’t skip the messy and ugly parts. And don’t aggrandize the good parts. Reframe and then write it down. Then let that history shape your future.

If you want to check out Psalm 78 (that’s what started this thought).