“Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person; the past is
forgotten. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
The men in Ryan’s life had two
things in common – thirst and a lack of self-control. Hence you might say that he was born to die
young; destined for failure and a future bleak at best.
His grandfather was a raging drunk. Years of alcohol abuse left him dull-witted. He had no desire to get sober and was
determined to stay drunk until he died. With
no love to share with his wife or children, the liquor bottle became his only
friend.
As a result, Ryan’s father became a rowdy sort, who while
smart and handsome, began to look for ways to fill the holes in his heart. His mother fell in love with the rebel and
they married. But it didn’t take long for
their relationship to suffer. Anger from
Dad’s youth divided the couple. He
filled the emptiness drinking alone in local bars.
Ryan carried hateful anger towards his father in college. But unwittingly, he repeated many of his
Dad’s same destructive behaviors and partied heavily.
His first marriage lasted seven years and produced one son.
Thrilled with fatherhood, Ryan vowed to be the best father ever; he’d never
embarrass his kid, only make him proud, and always be there for him.
But the men in his past still haunted him. So he sought help!
During a 4-day spiritual retreat, Ryan found himself at the
foot of the cross, free from the fear of God’s punishment; He’d already paid
the price for Ryan’s sin.
It wasn’t until he totally surrendered himself to God that
the scourge of alcoholism that had littered his past melted away. Despite struggling with self-worth, trust,
intimacy, and more, the Lord’s blessing helped him break the chains handed down
through generations. When he ponders how close he came to that path, Ryan
thanks God for the will to persevere for a better life.
Sometimes we carry on family traditions that we shouldn’t
and it affects our children. So whether
you have inherited certain propensities genetically or from exposure to regular
family behavior, the Lord is able to overcome these battles and strongholds in
your life as you determine to depend upon Him.
And pour yourself into this next generation - the purity you
walk in will be a platform for your kids.
Decisions you make (both good and bad) will impact generations to come.
Beloved Child, I love it when you come to Me to
confess your sin. I’m your safe place
and your salvation. Let’s make it right
together. Let Me have the thing that’s
holding you back from a new and fresh start.
~ God
