Knowing your past?

As you may or may not know, I really enjoy the area of counseling. I am intrigued by how we as humans think, feel and act. I marvel at people who come through difficult and painful situations. I also have a heart for people who are broken and hurting. I am more and more convinced that God is a redeemer and re-Creator of those shameful and sinful areas of our lives.

So, with that in mind. Here is what I am thinking. How should I look at my life, my entire life? This includes the dark and murky areas as well as the good areas of my life. Their is a lot of talk in Christianity right now about story. People argue that we need to see Scripture as story. Others claim instead of a 3 point sermon, we need to preach in story form. I love both of these ideas of interpretation and explanation of the Scriptures. However, the question I want to ask is, ''Does the Bible give us a precident to look at our life as story?" If so, how should we look at and interpret our past? Does looking at our past involve revisting and retelling our pasts? Do our stories of the past shape, influence and to one part determine who we are, what we do and how we live?

Those of us who hold in high regard both the disciplines of Biblical and Systematic theology - Is doing Biblical theology of our lives, including our past really psychology babble? I know that in seminary we studied both the Old and New Testament. Actually, I feel like I understand the Old Testament better then the New. But, we study the Old to see how the pictures, images, stories finds it's culimination in Christ. Is it wrong to see the contours of our lives and how the past's joys and tradegies shape who we are today?

Honestly, I wonder sometimes if we minimize and downplay the impact of our pasts. Maybe because I have been challenged to think critically about my story. My life, my family system, the things I regret and try to hide from. One friend has encouraged me to write the story of my life, which I am doing, the good parts and all. It's been good, but really hard. I am just starting on that journey. Anyway, give me your thoughts on it.