As I have been working through the feelings of things seeming reminiscent of where I was, everywhere I turn, God has been speaking loudly that I am a new creation.  A Christian TV Show had a theme of Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  My devotion the other day was on 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.  The old is gone, the new is here!” Every song on Christian radio has felt like God is Shouting that the new has come and I am not the same.  He has begun a new work in me and no matter what the circumstances appear to be God is still working in me.  

Some of my circumstances may feel eerily similar in so many ways but I am different because of the work God has done in my heart and mind.  The last year has been filled with constant hard, fast change, and seemingly constant progress.  Now it seems that I’m in the fire again and it is easy to think things are heading in a negative direction because of how I “feel”.  As long as I keep anchored into Him, I don’t have to fear repeating the past.  I’m beginning to see this season as an opportunity to trust the work that God has done in my life.  

He didn’t bring me this far just to take me back to where I was.  Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  The steady feeling of intense and fast progress appears to have slowed, but it is here that faith can grow.  It’s here that I cling to these promises that He will continue to grow and change me even when I can’t feel or see it.  It is here that I learn to trust that His healing in my heart and mind will last because He has done it, and it’s not of my own doing.

God will continue to carry out the good work He has done in my life out until it is completed.  There is no going back when I am running towards Him.  He has me and He won’t let go.

Are there areas in your life where the progress feels like it has slowed or even stopped?  He won’t abandon the renovation of your heart; He will complete it.  He is making you new. Friend, I pray, you continue to anchor into Him and learn to trust the work He has begun in your life.  May we land on His grace.