“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now, it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NASB)
In life, we are constantly faced with challenges and changes. As we begin to believe in ourselves, we discover that although we cannot change our past experiences, we can change the way we think about them. As a result, we can change not only how we think about ourselves, but also identify a way to a better future. In his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning”, Viktor E. Frankl said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” We have a choice as to how we will either respond or react to our past.
The key word in Isaiah 43:18-19 is the word “ponder” which keeps fouling us up. It means to keep talking about it and dwelling on it: our hurts by a former spouse, a former boss, an employee, a parent that hurt me. You see, some of you will never see the destiny that God has for you because you’re stuck and most likely bitter. But instead, you are being challenged to learn from it, forgive, and move on from your past, with the promise that God is about to do something new in your life. Did you get that? He’s about to do something new in your life.
God is forever creating. He is a creating God and He’s creating a new beginning for you. He’s liberating you from your past and moving you forward, focusing you on the road to your destiny.
Now take action:
Be proactive and intentional with affirming God’s Word and living it, dealing with any unforgiveness you may have. Assume responsibility for words you have spoken, choices and decisions you have made, whether right or wrong, and quit holding others hostage. Stop playing the blame game. God has a great plan. A great future for you. He knows what He’s doing. TRUST HIM!