“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” 

(Philippians 4:6-9, NIV)

 

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you didn’t want to be? I did, and I didn’t like where I was. And even worse, I didn’t know how to get out of there. That’s the moment I began to ask God, “How did I get here?” And to seek His wise counsel on how to get to where He wanted me to be.

 

I can tell you from experience that the journey from here to there is not easy, but it’s not difficult, either. I know that sounds confusing, but it’s not. What I mean is that you may find yourself in a certain debilitating, or aggravating situation thinking it was someone else’s’ fault, or because you didn’t have certain advantages like others did. But the truth is, you were the cause, which means you also have the ability to change where you are. Don’t be angry, be honest.

 

Most of the time when we find ourselves in a huge mess, it’s because we ourselves have caused it through some form of sin or relational dysfunction. It’s either that we are messed up and making bad decisions, or the people we are fellowshipping with are messed up and making bad decisions that are impacting our lives.

 

Looking at the issues from this perspective helps you to see that you are more in control of your life than you think you are. Proverbs 26:2, (NIV) states, “Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.”

 

Proverbs 16:6-7 (NIV) encourages, “Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.”

 

Job 22:21-28 (NIV) reminds, “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you. Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.”

 

If we get honest with ourselves, we can see how we got ourselves into the mess we are in, either by our own ignorance or disobedience, or through someone we trusted who was operating in ignorance or disobedience. But be encouraged, God can give you a new there, through a new mindset. 

 

Proverbs 3:1-26, (KJV) exhorts "My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”

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God can get you from your here to your new there, when He can get you from your foolishness into His righteousness. God does everything right (in His righteousness)!

 

Has it occurred to you that your yesterday is gone? Yup! It's completely over, and you can't get it back. You can remember yesterday, but you can't relive it. It is now but a distant memory of a time that once was. It's your past. And now you are here, in today.

 

When I was asked by God to look back over my life, so that He could use my life as an illustration; as an author, an evangelist, and teacher, what I noticed, after all the tears and shame had passed, was that God had gotten me from there to here. From yesterday to today. From then to now.

 

I can tell you honestly, that most of my yesterday's were not worth mentioning, but somehow God finds them useful. That's because He has the astounding ability to make something out of nothing, and to make a ministry message from a mess of a personal life. Therefore, to Him nothing is wasted, because every part of our lives matters to Him.

 

Pressing through the muck-and-mire of personal defeats, hurts, pain, relational failures, and tragedies of life is not easy to do. But when you look up from the pit of despair into the eyes of a loving and compassionate God who has His hands extended toward you, you will be glad to put your trust in Him. Knowing that He has the ability to lift you up and dust you off will comfort you. And then the real love begins.

 

Like a baby reaching out for mommy's embrace knowing there is absolute love and support in her tender care and loving arms, will you experience God's (The Father's) love and support. Every day in fellowship with Him will comfort, strengthen, encourage, and restore you for your next there. No, I didn't make a mistake. He got you from your old there, to your new here, and now you are on your way from your new here, to your next there.

 

You ought to be very excited to know that although your yesterday is a memory, today is your place of repositioning for your new tomorrow. This is your new next. Guess what? God has a great plan for your tomorrow, but He must begin preparing you in your today. Just stay in close fellowship with Him and listen, obey, and do what He says and before you know it, you will be standing victorious in your new next.

 

Beginning anew takes place when the old has been removed to make room for the new and better.