"Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."--Isaiah 43:18-19(AMP)
Each of us will greet the new year in a different way; some walking, some limping, some crawling, some running out of 2015 into 2016! No matter how we leave 2015, we have the assurance of God's promise--that he will do a new thing! That's good news!
Yet, if God is doing a new thing, we must be willing to move in tandem with Him. This is hard work because it may require us to let go of things that we may be holding onto. For example, anger, unforgiveness, offenses, hurt, pain, etc. These things can be extremely difficult to release.
Years ago I experienced a very traumatic event at the hands of a close family member. It was a cruel and hurtful event that bruised me greatly emotionally. The hurt in my heart quickly turned to anger and morphed into rage. I did not like the person I was becoming and I did not like the dark feelings that were overtaking me. I knew that I had to release the person, the offense, the pain, the hurt, the shame, and the rejection. It was HARD work because I was wronged and I did not want to let it go. I felt that I had the right to be angry and offended. Yes, I may have had the right, but that did not make it right. So, I willfully humbled myself and cried out to God for help and deliverance. And miraculously, over time, the anger, rage, pain, hurt disappeared. When I chose to run into the loving arms of the Father, he cradled my broken heart. He replaced all that emotionally afflicted me with his love, grace, mercy, and joy.
I am convinced, beyond the shadow of a doubt of the truth of God's word. He keeps His promises. If I had not taken God at his word, you would not be reading this blog post now!
May I encourage you to give whatever is plaguing your heart to the Lord? He WILL make things right.
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for those who may be struggling in their hearts today. I pray that you would give them the grace to release what they are holding on to and turn it over to you. I pray that you would fill every void with your love. May your joy be their strength. Give them the strength to do the hard work so they may receive the new thing that you desire to do in their lives. Amen. And so be it according to your word.
Each of us will greet the new year in a different way; some walking, some limping, some crawling, some running out of 2015 into 2016! No matter how we leave 2015, we have the assurance of God's promise--that he will do a new thing! That's good news!
Yet, if God is doing a new thing, we must be willing to move in tandem with Him. This is hard work because it may require us to let go of things that we may be holding onto. For example, anger, unforgiveness, offenses, hurt, pain, etc. These things can be extremely difficult to release.
Years ago I experienced a very traumatic event at the hands of a close family member. It was a cruel and hurtful event that bruised me greatly emotionally. The hurt in my heart quickly turned to anger and morphed into rage. I did not like the person I was becoming and I did not like the dark feelings that were overtaking me. I knew that I had to release the person, the offense, the pain, the hurt, the shame, and the rejection. It was HARD work because I was wronged and I did not want to let it go. I felt that I had the right to be angry and offended. Yes, I may have had the right, but that did not make it right. So, I willfully humbled myself and cried out to God for help and deliverance. And miraculously, over time, the anger, rage, pain, hurt disappeared. When I chose to run into the loving arms of the Father, he cradled my broken heart. He replaced all that emotionally afflicted me with his love, grace, mercy, and joy.
I am convinced, beyond the shadow of a doubt of the truth of God's word. He keeps His promises. If I had not taken God at his word, you would not be reading this blog post now!
May I encourage you to give whatever is plaguing your heart to the Lord? He WILL make things right.
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for those who may be struggling in their hearts today. I pray that you would give them the grace to release what they are holding on to and turn it over to you. I pray that you would fill every void with your love. May your joy be their strength. Give them the strength to do the hard work so they may receive the new thing that you desire to do in their lives. Amen. And so be it according to your word.
