Stop’s- Not Start’s
A new year can bring new beginnings, but so can entering the next season. With spring upon us, you may be ready for a re-start. The beginning of the year may have caused you to put a different routine in place. So besides implementing a “start doing,” you most likely had to have a “stop doing” as well.
Starting new things energizes me. But even more effective is stopping what is holding me back in my spiritual, emotional, and physical growth. In Hebrews, it tells us to strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
Are you paralyzed by loneliness and fear of the unknown? Are you in a place where you don’t have the capacity to start or stop anything? Are you ready for a change, something fresh and new? Being a part of something fresh and new is very appealing, but our doubts about God and lack of trust in Him can have us miss His mercies He is willing to give.
You are not alone.
Let’s first take time to ask the Lord what hurts, worries, or sin, we are carrying that is slowing us down, keeping us in bondage. Our perspective and clarity can get skewed when Satan’s lies have made their home in our minds and hearts. Take time and ask the Lord to help you loosen your grip on your heartaches and fears. Not to let deception cover your eyes, but to fix your eyes on Him, and strengthen you for the race God has set before you.
A portion of a prayer by Ted Loder may help you put a voice to your pain.
Hear me quickly, Lord
for my mind soon wanders to other things
I am more familiar with and more concerned about
than I am with you.
Words will not do, Lord.
Listen to my tears,
for I have lost much and fear more.
Listen to my sweat,
for I wake at night,
Overwhelmed by darkness and strange dreams.
Listen to my crackling knuckles,
for I hold very tightly to myself
And anxiously squeeze myself into others’ expectations
And them into mine,
And then shake my fists at you
for disappointing me.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2(NLT)