FRESH START

Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.”

Have you ever experienced a setback in your Christian walk? Have you ever just wanted a fresh start? Our imperfection dictates that we have made mistakes in our lives as Christians. We have experienced many setbacks and failures throughout our lives. Sometimes we allow these mistakes, these setbacks and failures to enslave us to the point that we never enjoy the full Christian life that God has given us to enjoy.

The good news is, God says, “I want you to have a fresh start in life, I want you to have a new beginning, and I want to do something new in your life.” From time to time, the thing we need is a fresh start, a new beginning with God. Perhaps you have said in the past, “I am going to grow in my relationship with God. I am going to pray more, read my bible more and get more involved in my church. I’m going to spend more quality time with my family. ” The list could go on. If you have encountered a stumbling block that has prevented you from accomplishing those things, don’t quit trying.

Look at what God is saying in our scripture. Forget about what’s happened before. He says don’t think about the past. It’s over. The book’s closed on it. We need to understand that God is far more interested in our future than he is in our past. Some people think that God is stuck on their past. That all he wants to do is remind them of the things that they have done wrong. God is more interested in your future than he is with your past. That’s where you’re going to spend the rest of your life. He says, “Forget about your past. Forget about the former things. Don’t think about it. Look at the new thing I’m going to do.”

If we are to have the fresh start that God desires for us, we must make a conscious decision to move in the right direction. We must stop making excuses for past shortcomings. If we want a fresh start in life, we have to stop making excuses for our failures. We’ve got to stop blaming other people. We’ve got to stop seeing ourselves as the victim of our circumstances. We must take an inventory of our life. That means we need to evaluate life’s experiences. We need to look at what we have left after the failure. We need to learn from life.

We must act in faith. What are you expecting in life? Are things going to be better or worse? Are they going to be the same? If you act in faith then you will do something positive to move towards your dreams. We need to refocus our thoughts if we want to change our life. If we want to get going again, if we want a fresh start, we need to rethink the way that we think. Proverbs 4:23 says "Be careful how you think. Your life is shaped by your thoughts."

The way we think, determines the way we feel. And the way we feel determines the way we act. If you want to change your actions, just change the way you think and it will inevitably change the way you act. If you are depressed, discouraged and distressed it may be because you’re thinking depressed, discouraged and distressing thoughts. That’s your choice. You don’t have to think those thoughts. If you’re acting in fearful, worried ways it’s because you’re thinking fearful, worried thoughts. Finally, we must trust God for a fresh start. Depend on him. We don’t need to depend on ourselves. We’ve already proven that we can’t do it on our own. That’s why we’ve failed. It is him alone that brings a new beginning.

If you been hoping for a turnaround in life. If you have been waiting for a second chance. Look to God today and follow his leading. Then, you’ll have a fresh start.