Beginning a Great Beginning
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” ~ Genesis 1:1-4
The earth in this verse reminds me of my life before God saved me from it. Most of the beginnings I’ve experienced have been preceded by an ending that I could have done without. But not all of them have had this negative connotation. The beginning I’m in right now is truly amazing.
God tells us, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 (MSG) One of the biggest problems I see in most of us these days is worry. Worry over finances, relationships, other people and so on. I’m guilty of all of these things. So guilty. But, I have made a gracious effort, failing at times, to focus on today. What’s going on right now. Not tomorrow. Forget yesterday. Entrusting my life, my journey, and my purpose in God’s hands. Who better to guide it but the very one who created it?
And every day I am amazed at how God provides, encourages and leads me in a positive direction. With God’s help, each day for me is a new beginning. Every day.
One of my greatest battles has been with depression. If you’ve ever experienced its grip I know you’re shaking your head, “uh huh!”. There have been months I have shredded my self-worth and just sobbed over the failure my life was. Wanting to die is a horrible thing to deal with alone.
In October of last year I prayed for God to reveal a solution for me so that I wouldn’t have to suffer through the winter again. One night I was surfing through Facebook and came across a post from Glennon Doyle (Momastery, look her up) and she was saying that she had gone off of her medication the year before and had finally realized, with the help of her family, that she needed to go back on it.
[pullquote width=”300″ float=”right”]But I have made a gracious effort, failing at times, to focus on today. What’s going on right now. Not tomorrow. Forget yesterday. Entrusting my life, my journey, and my purpose in God’s hands. [/pullquote]For me it was a beautiful sign. If SHE needed meds and was proclaiming it publicly, well, me too.
Best thing I read last year. I’ve never felt better. I’ve never loved fiercer. I’ve never been happier. But it wasn’t only the medication.
God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. ~ Lamentations 3:23 (MSG) (I love this version)
When I began realizing that I needed to live for God, go to Him for all the things, the things I was going to Him for began to change. Yes, the medication has helped, but God has shown me through His word, music, sermons, and friends He has placed in my life, that I am so blessed.
And more importantly, I am loved.
Giving my life to him to guide and direct has been the best beginning of any beginning ever. I still have doubts about my abilities and such, but God always finds a way to step in and refocus those doubts.
Every day is a new beginning. I think God knew we (or at least I), would need the opportunities to retry things a time or two – that’s probably the reason for night and day. I’ve been known to really screw up some days. I used to let it get to me and determine that I just sucked. But God’s word tells me differently. He gives us opportunities 365 times a year to try again.
What an amazing God. The alpha. The omega. The beginning. The end.
Allow God to begin a great work in you, “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.”. Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
He keeps His promises. I promise. Best God Ever.
Lover of all things Jesus. Coffee. Wine. Dessert. Not necessarily in that order.
Philadelphia Eagles, baby!! Fair weather cycle rider.Reformed “mean girl” stumbling her way to joy.
- God Shows Up - April 24, 2019
- Live Like You Believe You Are Plenty - November 30, 2018
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“I used to let it get to me and determine that I just sucked. But God’s word tells me differently. He gives us opportunities 365 times a year to try again.” I think this I-suck story is all too prevalent in so many women’s lives today, and it is so opposite to what God’s truth is about us. Thanks for being so willing to share your journey, Tina. Just like Glennon was for you, this may be the glimmer of hope that others have needed to read!
thanks for reading and the encouragement, Diane. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, Tina. Too many people think that if they just pray more/read more/do whatever more they’ll stop being depressed. Sometimes that actually works! But sometimes you need medication so you can pray more/read more/do whatever more.
Every day is a new beginning. I think God knew we (or at least I), would need the opportunities to retry things a time or two – that’s probably the reason for night and day.
Never thought of it that way. I’m so thankful for rest and renewal at night and every new day God grants me.
Thanks for sharing your truth Tina, so powerful. Asking for help, whether in the form of medication or counseling is not a sign of weakness, it just means we’re human. This world puts so much on us and we then pile more on ourselves. I love that your prescription for wellness includes God’s love- receiving it and showing it others in your actions and words.
Tina, thank you for this. As a fellow sojourner who travels the road of depression, I know that my Jesus holds my oft-weary soul in His hands. Knowing that my name is engraved into the palms of His hands makes me feel so much less alone and hopeless. This body may need meds and vitamin D and whatever, but it also needs Jesus. So excited to one day get that new body, and STILL have my Jesus. Hugs.