A NEW THING!

 I get excited about new things.  A new flower popping up.  A new sunrise with no rain!  A new song on my playlist. A new chocolate treat!  A new friend.  A new person coming to class.  God loves new things too.  This morning, this was my scripture in Isaiah 42:

"I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness.  I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you.  Behold, the former things have come to pass.  Now I declare new things.  Before they spring forth, I declare them to you." 

There is a prerequisite to new things.  You have to let the former things pass to receive new things.  They have come to pass not stay forever.  It may be grief, regret, unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness.  Whatever has put its feet up in your life and made itself comfortable.  It's time to let it pass.  

I think at this stage, we all deal with grief in some way.  Grief over outcomes that didn't work out.  Grief over loss of dreams or relationships or a spouse or finances or health.  I haven't lost a spouse so I can't even imagine.  I've had some deep grief.  You have to grieve.  It's healthy.  But letting go of the "grip" grief has on you doesn't mean you don't care or you quit grieving, it means you still have room in your heart for hope.  Hope has a tomorrow.  Hope means "joyful expectation".  God still has some joy waiting for you in your tomorrow.  

I've also had some regrets.  But the thing is....you can't go back and do things any other way.  I did the best I knew at the time.  And the wonderful thing is, God is the great Redeemer.   He redeems our mistakes and uses them and works them out for our good and His glory.  You can't lose.  It's a win/win!

We need to forgive, let people go, let them be, don't hold them hostage, trust God to work in their life the best way.  He knows how.  We don't.  It takes a lot of energy to keep reliving painful events and keep the unforgiveness alive. It feels so great to let it go.  Once and for all.  God will handle it.  He promises.  

Whatever you need to let go of, remember that He promises that He will hold your hand and watch over you in the process.  Just like when you held those little one's hands in your hand and watched over those little loved ones, protecting them, loving them.  He will hold your hand and watch over you.  He will carry you, if He needs too.  He knows it's hard.  He knows it hurts.  He doesn't ignore your pain.  He cries when you cry.  He understands. Tears aren't wasted (He holds your tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8).  Your pain isn't wasted. He uses it all in your life.  But listen, you have to let go to receive the new thing He wants to give you.  One hand holding His.  One hand receiving the new thing.  

The new thing is going to be good.  It is going to bring you freedom from some bondage in your life.  It is going to bring you joy and peace!  It is going to be a closer walk with Jesus.  It is going to help you get up every morning and be thankful for the day.  It is going to give you hope again.  

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power 

of the Holy Spirit."

What have you got to lose?  You have a lot to gain.  Take His Hand.  Ask Him to show you.  Ask Him to help you.  He is always watching over you, He doesn't leave. He has abundant life waiting for you. Surrender is the beginning.  Surrender it all to Him.  Lay it all down before Him.  Let Him have it all for good this time.  Completely trust Him.  He is faithful and loves you more than you can imagine.  It's all going to be okay.

Love Him.  Love ya'll dearly,

Diana