There are ongoing debates about how much influence our childhood experiences have on how we currently think. Some say, “It’s past. We need to forget it and move on.” Others insist, “We can’t forget it. It’s impossible to be free of the past.” Who’s right?
Our family and cultural beliefs become deeply ingrained from birth. These beliefs could be compared to old castles scattered over Europe. Some are restored; many are in ruins. Each castle is unique, but all have a common feature: “wings” stretch in every direction from the original center section. Over centuries, wings of rooms were added or closed as the castles constantly adapted to the residing family’s needs.
In times of financial recession, some wings fell into disrepair with the family occupying only a few rooms in the center section. Neighbors couldn’t see the household bank accounts, but the castle’s condition made the family’s financial condition evident. Sometimes walls and roofs collapsed, spilling interior contents into full view. Likewise, the family’s prosperity was evident when the castle was in good repair.
Each of us is born into a family belief-castle with “wings” representing the life-beliefs added by previous generations. God built the original center-section: belief in His goodness and love for humanity. First Adam added the first wing when he rebelled against God, believing the lie that God is cruel and untrustworthy. Through time, great-great-grandma Martha decorated rooms with criticism; another wing was filled with righteousness taught by Great-aunt Jane. Rooms of greed were constructed by Grandpa Alvin, while various cousins filled closets with hidden sexual sin.
Our life experience is strongly impacted even by beliefs that are wrong because a lie believed as truth will affect our life as truth, even though it’s a lie. We’re influenced by the thoughts and choices of our ancestors, all the way back to First Adam. Nevertheless, each individual is responsible for the renovation (renewing the mind) and maintenance (spiritual maturity) of the “belief castle” we have personally inherited. Each generation has equal opportunity to tear down the ruined sections of pride, immorality and selfishness that constantly demand that something or someone “out there must make us happy”; building instead, new rooms of faith in God that are strong and protective.
Our inward beliefs become outwardly apparent through our choices. The rooms of wrong beliefs become visible when a life collapses in divorce, suicide, addiction or emotional bankruptcy. Our right beliefs are visible through strong, confident living and stable relationships, even when walking through difficult circumstances.
Broken or collapsed “rooms” are rebuilt by daily developing faith in God, which results in unselfishness—refusing to think that God and other people exist for our own personal pleasure and benefit. We choose instead to help others come to know God’s tender love and mercy. Every life-stage has enjoyable and difficult aspects. If our house-of-life is built on self-pity concerning the inconvenient, wearisome details of our “inherited” circumstances, we’ll never really experience happiness, no matter how much good is mixed with the difficult.
The Bible repeatedly declares that the only lasting joy in our house-of-life is found in the Lord Jesus. At salvation we receive the gift of His joy and peace. He provides power to choose contentment no matter which stage of life-construction we’re experiencing. Joy is an internal gift. Happiness depends solely on external circumstances.
Psalm 127:1-2 from The Message: “If God doesn’t build the house, builders only build shacks. It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know God enjoys giving rest to those He loves?”
Infinite Grace Ministries exists to teach the Good News of God’s love, and to nurture hope and encouragement in people-- especially those who doubt His existence or goodness. Life transformation is experienced through knowing the limitless love and mercy of God. Call 580-774-2884 to schedule your personal appointment today!
