Your Past Is Not Your Destiny

Have you heard this story before?

Two men were interviewed on television. They were twin brothers. One was very successful in every area of life – he was a great family man, successful entrepreneur, avid sportsman, and generous philanthropist. The other was a convicted felon, a wife beater, and a drug addict. When the TV host interviewed this brother, who was homeless and bitter, he was asked why his life was such a disaster. He replied, “Well, what do your expect? My parents were alcoholics, my mother was a prostitute, my father ended up in jail. We were poor and regularly beaten as children. That’s what caused my present situation.”

Then they interviewed the successful brother. They asked him what he attributed his success to. He replied, “Well, what do your expect? My parents were alcoholics, my mother was a prostitute, my father ended up in jail. We were poor and regularly beaten as children. I decided to create a better life for myself and my family.” One brother used the past as an excuse for his bad choices, the other used the identical situation to motivate him to be successful.

Some people come from terrible backgrounds. I know it because I have heard enough stories in my office that would truly break your heart. Yet as bad some people's past is, it does not define one's destiny. Everyone must deal with their past at some point and certainly it does affect one's future. Certain challenges accompany a past filled with pain, abuse, betrayal, or heartbreaking mistakes. But it does not define where one ends up. By facing one's past, processing the hurts, and choosing to move forward in faith one can change one's stars. You can't change the past, but the future is up to you. . .