As a young girl, I was afraid of the dark, and my closet at night often felt like the scariest place of all. My imagination would conjure up all sorts of spooky thoughts! As I grew older, I realized those were just shadows playing tricks. But have you ever felt like there’s a different kind of “ghost” lurking in your past? Not a spooky apparition, but a memory, a hurtful word, or a limiting belief that just won’t seem to leave you alone. It whispers doubts, stirs up old shame, and tries to convince you that you’re still the person you used to be, even though you know in your heart that God has made you new.
For many of us, these “ghosts” are real. They might stem from childhood experiences, a critical comment from someone we loved, or even a personal failure that we just can’t seem to shake. They can feel like heavy chains, holding us back from fully embracing the freedom and identity we have in Christ.
I recently had a dream that brought one of my own “ghosts” to the surface. In the dream, I found myself forgetting someone very important to me, someone who represented my past and the foundational values I grew up with. Despite my efforts, I struggled to bring her “home” – to a place of safety, belonging, and identity. The feeling of forgetfulness and being unable to help was incredibly distressing.
This dream resonated with a memory from my youth. I remembered seeking help with a task, only to be met with a dismissive comment that implied I wasn’t capable. For years, that hurtful label lingered, a quiet “ghost” in my mental closet, trying to define me. Even as I grew, achieved, and stepped into my calling, that old whisper tried to tell me I wasn’t smart enough, not truly capable.
But here’s the beautiful truth, dear sister in Christ: When we are in Christ, we are a new creation! The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV): “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
This isn’t just a nice idea; it’s a profound spiritual reality. The “old” you, burdened by past hurts, labels, and limitations, has passed away. The “new” you, redeemed and transformed by God’s grace, is here! You are not defined by those old “ghosts” or the whispers of the past.
So, what do we do with these lingering memories that try to hinder our walk with God? We don’t ignore them or pretend they don’t exist. Instead, we bring them into the light of God’s truth.
Think of it like this: You wouldn’t leave a “ghost” (a painful memory) to haunt your closet forever, would you? No! You’d want to deal with it, expose it, and let it go. And that’s exactly what we can do with God’s help.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) encourages us: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
This doesn’t mean we literally erase our memories, but rather that we release their crushing power over us. We choose to deal with them according to the Word of God, allowing God to do a “new thing” in our lives.
How do we turn these hurtful memories over to God?
- Acknowledge the Pain: It’s okay to admit that a memory hurts or has held you back. God is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
- Surrender it in Prayer: Just as I prayed after my dream, take that memory, that label, that shame, and lay it at the feet of Jesus. He invites us in Matthew 11:28 (NIV): “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He wants to carry your burdens.
- Embrace Your New Identity: Remind yourself daily of who God says you are. You are loved, chosen, redeemed, and powerful in Christ! You are not a “dumb bunny”; you are a brilliant, capable daughter of the King!
- Renew Your Mind: As Romans 12:2 (NIV) says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Replace those old, negative thoughts with God’s truth. Fill your mind with His promises.
When we turn these “ghosts” over to God, something incredible happens. Through the power of Chrst’ work on the cross, they lose their power. The shame dissipates. The chains break. We are free to fully step into the powerful, new creature He has made us to be. We can then use our experiences, even the painful ones, to minister to others and shine His light even brighter.
So, dear sister, what “ghost” might be lurking in your closet today? Take a moment, invite the Holy Spirit to reveal it, and then, with open hands and a trusting heart, turn it over to the Lord. Watch as He replaces that old, hindering memory with His loving care, transforming you more and more into the magnificent woman He created you to be.
You are a new creation, walking forward in His grace!
Journal Prompt:
Take some time to reflect and write in your journal:
- What “ghost” (a past memory, a hurtful word, or a limiting belief) might be lingering in your own “closet” and trying to hold you back?
- How has this memory impacted your life or your walk with God?
- What specific steps can you take today to surrender this hurt-filled memory to the Lord and embrace the new identity He has given you in Christ? Write out a prayer of release and new stance in Christ.
Dr. Buck / Christian Life Coach /
As God gets bigger in our lives–we get stronger!
Living Life's Way 