AUGUST 29th

So often we find ourselves trying to get back to “normal” when we go through hard things. We are trying to get back to the familiar “self.” But the problem with that is that trials change us, pain changes us, hard times change us, life changes us. And that all should! We can’t go back. Instead, we should embrace the new “self” that God is shaping through trials. If we try to build ourselves that will either end in disaster or fall drastically short. But if we let Jesus walk us through trials and make us a new creation, we will find peace and healing that only He can provide.

Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Instead of longing for the way things used to be or striving to get back to normal, let’s embrace the new work that God is doing in us! Who are you going to be tomorrow?

The one thing that we should be craving and looking for each step of our journey is not our old “self” or even family and friends (they should also be changing), the one familiar thing that we should be looking for and clinging to is only the presence of Jesus. He is the only one that doesn’t change!

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

As we walk through these trials in our lives, we should be so familiar with His presence that we feel safe and secure despite the pain and hardship because we are being held by Him in the safest place ever, -His hands.

John 10:28-29 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

It is in that place that we can watch Him pour His healing on our wounded heart, grieve with us while touching our minds with His peace, exchange our mourning for dancing and joy. Don’t run from pain, face it, with Jesus, and experience what He wants to give you, let Him use it to make you new. Read these prophetic words about Jesus:

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

You are a new person today! Who will you be? Only God knows fully, but how exciting for you to discover who God is shaping you to be today!!

Jesus, thank you for being the same always, the one familiar thing in my life no matter what is going on in me and around me. Help me to discover who you are shaping me to be today. Help me to surrender to your plan and your purpose. Thank you for using all things for my good, even those things that the enemy meant for evil. Help me to receive your healing, peace and growth in the midst of my life and focus on you not on the problems. Thank you so much for your love and your plan for me.