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Dear Joyce,
Is there any way to lift the curse brought on by what our parents or grandparents have done?
Samuel
Samuel,
When people refer to “the curse” they are usually talking about the negative effects of past sin and mistakes. The results of past sin can definitely be “lifted” by making right choices now. One wrong choice does not release the curse in our life; it is the result of many wrong choices. In the same way, one right choice will not fix everything that is wrong. No matter what your relatives have done in the past, your life can be wonderful and blessed if you will continue doing what is right. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint (Galatians 6:9).
I experienced the negative results of poor choices that my parents made—the results of alcoholism, violence, hatred and incest. However, each right decision I made set me free in some area. Now, after many years of serving God faithfully, I can truly say that the curse is broken, and the devastation of many generations has no real effect on me or my children.
It is not always easy to make right choices when you’re hurting or suffering the ill effects of someone else's bad choices, but it is the best option you have. Every right choice you make helps you get out of the pit Satan has dug for you. We must shake off the past and refuse to be trapped by it.
Always remember that there is nothing from your past that has the right to affect your future unless you give it permission. Each day is an opportunity for a new start, and through faith we can see the blessings of God in our lives. The blessing overcomes the curse because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (see 1 John 4:4).
Here is a wonderful story that I believe will help you:
THE FARMER’S DONKEY
One day a farmer’s donkey fell into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you—all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.
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