When I considered my past:
I noticed distinct bends that shaped my personality and my journey through life. Some of these bends opened doors giving me renewed courage and other bends moved me onto a path of suffering. God calls these difficult directions, ashes. But He also says He turns ashes into beauty.
These bend experiences taught me to resist a victim mindset and so much more. I still allow old behaviors to win at times, but I have a choice how much of my past controls me. my goal is not to allow others to control, now I know my thinking, not people or circumstances control my life. When God guides my thinking, my thinking guides my life to victory.