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Get Over It
God's Kindness Quest Series
My friends live by phrases of wit
An example, "get over it"
Other slogans, "let it go"
"Move on bro"
"Pull yourself up by your bootstraps"
"No time for self-pity or naps"
Another favorite motto, "buck up"
"There’s no reverse in a macho man’s pickup truck"
"Pedal to the metal, the sweet aroma of burning rubber"
Those are some quips recited to one another
They believe eliminating the rear-view mirror
Makes the road ahead much clearer
Applied their advice and tried to move forward
Yet, my tattered heart bungee cords me backward
Like an elephant, I can’t forget
Memories stir up anguish, anger, and regret
If I could get over it, I would
Wish I could
Decided to pray, since nothing else worked
Unsure how full God’s schedule is booked
To my amazement, got a quick response
Only had to seek him once
Tenderly, God said, it all started as a little boy
That’s when you lost your peace and joy
Tears began as a trickle, progressing to torrential rain
I knew he identified the root of my pain
A tormenting and recurring flashback to age three
But this time, Father God was there with me
His compassion and comfort warmed me to the bone
The depth of his love surpassed any I've known
He gently whispered, I am the Father you never had
I'd like to adopt you and proudly be your dad
I snuggled into his arms and accepted his offer
He requested nothing further
Father God began sharing with great joy and glee
About his wonderful plans for me
My friends misguidedly offered their wit
God's love, the only remedy to "get over it"
Interactive Questions
Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV), "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
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What emotions, memories, thoughts, convictions, or inspirations bubbled up while reading the poem?
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Father God, what do you want me to know about my answers to the previous question?
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Over what situation have others told you, or you’ve told yourself, to just "get over it"? Describe.
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What advice from others have you tried, and it turned out to be more wit than remedy?
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Lord, if I had asked your advice at the time, what would you have shared with me?
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When you look in the rear-view mirror of your life, what do you see?
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Have you removed the rear-view mirror? If so, why?
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Lord, when you look in the rear-view mirror of my life, what do you see and what do you want to share with me about it?
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Are you bungee corded to painful memories, unable to move forward? Describe.
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Do you give God permission to show you the "root" of your pain? If so, ask him.
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Are you willing to give the pain, shame, regret, and all related emotions to God? If so, do so.
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Are you willing for Father God to comfort you regarding the pain? If so, ask him to comfort and speak truth to you.
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When have you put the pedal to the metal, tires burning rubber, hurrying toward something before consulting God about it? Describe.
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Lord, what do you want me to learn regarding my zeal to move forward without you?
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Father God, what wonderful plans do you have for me?
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Father God, is there anything else you want to share with me at this moment?
Prayer
James 5:16 (NLT), "... The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."
Lord, I give you the phrases of wit, which society and friends have parroted, such as, "get over it", "buck up", and "pull yourself up by your bootstraps". I forgive them for discounting and minimizing the anguish, anger, and regret I have endured. Forgive me for trying to conform to their misguided wit, mottos, and advice.
Lord, speak truth to me about rear-view mirror memories. Show me the roots of bungee corded moments, which detour me from my destiny. Remove obstacles which hinder me from godly intimacy and love. I welcome your comfort and truth.
Lord, the enemy highlights past memories for the purpose of torment and turmoil. You highlight painful experiences for the purpose of remedy and lasting freedom. I welcome your promptings to revisit rear-view mirror moments with you. Thank you for untethering me from bungee corded memories, so that I can joyfully move forward. Amen.
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Lord, what did this prayer activate in accordance with James 5:16?
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Tweak the existing prayer as desired or craft a new personalized one.
Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT), "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true ..."
"The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'"
"The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray."
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List meaningful Bible verses which come to mind regarding this poem, the interactive questions, and prayer.
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