Forget All That

By Kim Crowe

Have you ever been blindsided?

Ever thought, God where are you?

Ever asked "Why me?"

We imagine what our lives are going to be like; make plans; and set goals to accomplish them all. But then real life happens, and it isn't always the perfect picture you were planning on.

I, myself, was recently blindsided when I was diagnosed with cancer.

To tell the truth, the news shook me to the deepest part of my being.

This was not in my plan God! Why did this have to happen? I thought.

About a week after I was diagnosed, my husband sent me a text telling me that God had laid Isaiah 43 on his heart and that I should go read it.

In this chapter of Isaiah God is speaking to the Israelites, telling them that they are His, and that he called them by name. He reminds his children how he has been there and taken care of them, from delivering them out of Egypt by parting the Red Sea, then guiding them into to the Promised Land.

But then, after listing these amazing miracles and wonders, He goes on to say, "But forget all that! It is nothing compared to what I am going to do, for I am about to do something new!” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

These verses caused me to remember all the times that God was so present in my life, and all the miracles He had performed. Now He was promising something new, something greater if I would simply trust His plan.

This recent trial has opened my eyes to how precious and short life is. It also brought my husband and I closer to each other, and made us more unified in our faith.

The Bible says that God can use any, and all situations to bring us closer to Him and bring glory to His name-- and He has. Every morning I wake up and praise God that I'm still here on this earth, and I use each new day as an opportunity to tell more people about Him, and encourage others.

So my dear friend, take a moment now and look back on your life. Do you see how God was there through it all? In every moment of weakness, every trial and heartbreak, every moment of joy, He was there! And all that He has done in your life is nothing compared to what He is going to do next.

God alone carried us through the days past, and He is still carrying us, today. It is in seasons like these that we are reminded of how very much we need Jesus.

Hold on to Jesus, and the words that he speaks to you through his Word, through prayer, and through close friends.

Lean on him and, dear sister, don't ever lose hope.

Word of the day:
"But forget all of that-- it is nothing compared to what I'm going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in dry wastelands" (Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT).

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for always being there with me through everything, show me your plans and help me to understand when things don't work out the way that I want them to. Thank you for never leaving me and for calling me by name. Thank you for your plan that is greater than I can imagine. Help me to trust in you in Jesus’ name amen.

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