We would soon run out of air freshener; I wondered if I
had more stored under the bed. Instead, I discovered a plastic shopping bag
containing six rolls of one-ply toilet paper. Oh, no. I hoped we had used up
all of that kind, even though we sure were grateful for it when store supplies
ran low years ago.
Reflecting on the past can be like finding air freshener under the bed; pondering pleasant memories brings refreshment. And we can also review helpful lessons learned.
But sometimes we unearth memories that should be exposed
to the light and then disposed of. If self-pity, wrath, resentment, and other
sinful feelings result from what we uncover, then we dare not dwell on those
recollections. Instead, we can cultivate a spirit of forgiveness toward others,
pray for our persecutors, and peacefully move on in our minds. After all, Paul
in Philippians 4:8 shared a list of the kinds of thoughts we should embrace.
And like the under-the-bed toilet paper, poisonous thoughts from the past
simply must be flushed.
