From; Brenda Walsh Ministries
A Fresh Beginning
January 1st is a special day as it is the first day of a brand new year. It’s a day of new beginnings, opportunities, and a chance to start over. Perhaps last year was particularly challenging with trials you never had to face before. But instead of being bitter and angry, thank Jesus for helping you grow. Don’t fall into the devil’s trap of reliving painful memories of the past and holding onto bitterness, anger, and regrets . . . because they will only weigh you down like an anchor in the ocean and destroy your soul. God wants you to praise Him in the good times and the bad. James 1:2-4 tells us, “Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing.” God doesn’t want you to be a slave to your past. He wants to give you a fresh start and a new beginning. That doesn’t mean that life will be a bed of roses and you’ll never experience pain - but it does mean that you will not suffer alone. The Bible says in Isaiah 43:2, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Start this new year right by building a strong, faith-filled future based on “God's vision” for your life instead of your own, and you are sure to have a better year with a fresh new beginning. Text: Psalm 118:24, Isaiah 43:18-19, Philippians 3:13-14, Hebrews 11:8-10