But God...

You may find yourself dwelling on past mistakes, wishing if you only knew what you know now then you could have done something different to change the outcome. But guess what? God isn't surprised by your mistakes. And He does not disown you or leave you because of your shortcomings. He is a God who forgives and repairs. There is hope in Him. Consider this verse:

"My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26

Truth is, we will make mistakes. It is human nature. But don't stay stuck dwelling on what you did wrong. Learn from it. Ask for God's grace. His strength will carry you on. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Knowing that alone can give us peace.

Part of the road to healing is focusing on good things and true things. It is true that we will make mistakes, and that is okay -- accept it! It is true that God is with us. It is true that He will never leave us. It is true that He loves us and has a plan for our lives. It is true and good that He created you the way you are for a reason. Can you see yourself the way God sees you? Can you recognize the blessings and gifts He has given you?

Ask God to help you see things in a new light. Ask Him to help you move past your mistakes so you won't stay stuck in the mud. Ask Him to lead and guide you into His perfect plan -- yielding to Him every step of the way, depending on His grace and strength, listening to His infinite wisdom. When we get cocky and try doing things our own ways instead of His, that is when we fail. We need to truly humble ourselves like children, lean against Him and learn from Him. No confidence in the flesh. True confidence comes from knowing Jesus and relying on Him to meet your needs and depending on Him to strengthen you in due time. Can you trust that He will pull you through?

Victory through defeat

This phrase is odd, right? How can one possibly be victorious after defeat? The answer -- Jesus. Many things seems paradoxical and simply impossible in the scriptures. Consider this verse: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25). There are several instances where this is shown in the gospels. Look at this other verse: “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.” (Proverbs 18:12). Humility before honor? Really? Look at one more: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:2-3). Joy in trials? What?!

Okay, I’m noticing a trend here. Something undesirable, uncomfortable, and unappealing somehow becomes exactly what was needed in the end. Through many trials and defeats we may ask the question, “why?”. Truth is, we may never know why. But, the better question to ask is, “who?”. Who is with you in the storm? Who stands with you through the trial? Who walks alongside you and empathizes with you? Jesus. He knows what it’s like to be in pain. He knows how it looks to see defeat and rejection. He knows how it feels when the world is filled with pain and hopelessness. And guess what? That didn’t stop Him. He chose to have faith in what God had coming. He chose to hope in God’s promises and provision. Although He faced death on the cross, He rose again and ultimately defeated death itself.

Jesus is the reason we can have hope. Although our world may look bleak and hopeless, there is a God above watching over us, looking out after us. Although we may face pain and defeat, we will not stay in that place. God brings us to victory.