don't you hate it when....

yep, it does. I hate it too.

 

It happens to all of us. But you need to start weeding those things out of your brain (your computer hard-drive) and meditate on the good things. This is why reading so you can study so you can memorize your Bible is so important. Don't stop at memorizing, you have to take what you've learned and meditate on it in your heart. Think about those verses you memorize throughout the day. When a bad image/thought comes up, turn and tell God that you don't want to think on that, and then purposely turn your mind to a Bible verse or a sermon you just heard, or a Biblical thought that you have been challenged by.

You can't stop thinking about those things "no matter what" because you are trying to stop thinking about them under your own power. Don't try to use your own willpower, turn to God immediately, and if you have to say outloud to God that you aren't going to think about that and you need His help.

 

Remembering things is not wrong, dwelling on them isn't healthy and the Lord doesn't want you to do so. When we remember wrong or shameful things in our past it does two things; it helps us remember the hurt we caused ourselves and others through those actions (thus helping us to remember why we need to turn to the Lord to help us not make the same mistakes), and it gives us a reminder that, even though those things were bad, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive - thereby showing us yet another example of how wondrful the love of God is.

If you remember things from time to time, take a minute to pray and thank the Lord for delivering you from those things and forgiving you for it, and for the faithfulness only He has. If you are dwelling on those things, then ask the Lord why you can't get away from them.

 

If you get a song stuck in your head, the way to get rid of it is to ignore it and think on other things. If you concentrate on getting rid of the song, it will remain even more strongly.

 

It happens to me all the time. I guess I keep forgetting that I was forgiven my past sins, because I still feel guilty for having done those things. I don't exactly dwell on them, but a times they come up and so does my guilty feeling.

 

I liked this song from the first time I heard it.
In His grace,
Ed

 

How true! I listen to music in the car and at home most of the time. And whatever song I heard last before I walk into a store is the one I find myself humming all the way through!

Then I hear more music and another song is the one I find myself humming.

It seems to work with thoughts, too. Right now I am listening to a praise tape as I write this and the words of this song are "I am trading my sorrow, I'm trading my shame...for the joy of the Lord..."

It sort of depends on the focus one has. If I focus on the shame of what I am without Him, then my focus is clearly not on Him. If my focus is on Him, then I don't have to worry too much about concentrating on myself! Or on my past, which is forgiven, or on my future which is safe in His hands.

 

I immediately call upon the Name of the Lord, thanking Him that I am forgiven; clean before my Lord I stand. More recently, I have followed that with a matter-of-fact statement about each incident. That seems to close the file in many cases. At the same time, there are those I sinned against 'way back when....' -- I find myself wondering how to say to them, "I'm sorry. I regret that so much. Please forgive me." Some are no longer among the living. Some I have no idea where they are. Do I pray about these? Of course. However, they are the ones most difficult to close the file on. My family know of my transition from death unto life. Only the great-grandchildren will never see the old me ~~ thank God!