TURNING POINT: WINNING OVER WASTED YEARS

‘Enough! He has filled me with bitterness, saturated me with gall. For He crushes my teeth with a mouth filled with gravel; He humiliates me, trampling me in ashes. Fragmented, my self knows no peace. I cannot remember what it’s like to be happy. “Failed,” I say to myself. “My hope fails in the face of what the Eternal One has done.” Grievous thoughts of affliction and wandering plagued my mind—great bitterness and gall. Grieving, my soul thinks back; these thoughts cripple, and I sink down. Gaining hope, I remember and wait for this thought: How enduring is God’s loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are, every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day. Have courage, for the Eternal is all that I will need. My soul boasts, “Hope in God; just wait.” It is good. The Eternal One is good to those who expect Him, to those who seek Him wholeheartedly. It is good to wait quietly for the Eternal to make things right again.’ (Lamentations 3:15-22 The Voice Bible)

Life can sometimes be full of challenges. A recurring illness, an unsuccessful business endeavour, frequent disappointment in career, a failed marriage, a recalcitrant child that brings pain to the heart – all these can contribute to regrets and bitterness in life. However, we can always win over these situations, we can be victorious in Christ Jesus. In winning over wasted years, there are certain things we must consider.

1. Be careful of the scale you use to measure your life.

Life is a mystery that we cannot unravel. Every individual created by God is a mystery. Whose yardstick are you using to compare your life? What is the scale you are using to measure prosperity? Are you running the race of your life or you are in a ‘rat race?’ Be careful of the race you are running. Many times we put ourselves in unnecessary trouble when we enter the comparison syndrome. God has a particular blue print for your life; he will not use another person’s blueprint for you. Seek God to discover your path and run your own race.

2. Don’t allow the misery of the past stop you from enjoying the present and mess up your ‘now’ and ‘tomorrow.’

Life is not perfect but we can make the best of what it offers. Don’t cloud your ‘today’ with the miseries of yesterday. When you look at the past, you will realize that it is not everything that is under your control. If everything is not under your control, then you must learn to let go. Know that God does not have a reverse gear. What happened in the past already happened; He cannot reverse that. But He can give you a bright new future. We must continually look at the promises of God and believe Him for a better tomorrow.

3. God is not mocked; we reap what we sow.

We always reap what we are sowing or what we have sown. Galatians 6:7 says, ‘Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.’ What are you sowing into your life right now? If hitherto you have sown seeds of unrighteousness, you can change today. You can repent of your sins and start a new life. Our God is merciful; He forgives iniquities. Today is an opportunity to review your life and start afresh with God. Sow seeds of righteousness – kindness, generosity, hard work, diligence and you will reap thereof. Hosea 10:12 says, ‘Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap unfailing love. Break up the unplowed ground for yourselves, for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers deliverance on you.’

4. Remember that your Mess gives you your Message.

Every one of us has a bundle of experience that can be channeled for the good of others. Your mess can become your message; it can be your Ministry. Look at what you have gone through, prayerfully rise above it and help others who are facing similar issues to get stronger. When you do this, your story becomes a Message of Hope for others and brings fulfilment to your life.

5. ‘Wasted years’ is a call to rend the heavens.

The memory of the wasted years prompts us to call for God’s Mercy; it brings us to a life of intercession. We must approach God with certainty, knowing that He hears us. We must continue in ceaseless prayers. We must continually consult God. God completes everything He starts and it is enviable, enjoyable, and gives us the crown of eternal life.

God establishes the covenant of peace with us. Isaiah 54:10 says, ‘For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.’ I believe God is set to turn our lives around and change our testimony. He will restore every loss and beautify our lives. In Joel 2:25-26, He promised, ‘And I will compensate you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust—My great army which I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord your God who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame.’ Keep hoping, keep believing, never stop praying, and you will surely experience the manifold blessings of the Lord.

Have a blessed week.