Don't Give Up!
Help for Beginning Again
by
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Dreams…goals…plans sometimes have a way of slipping right through our fingers as the daily grind of kids, schedules, work, problems and birthdays takes its toll. Where did we get off track? How did we end up in this troubled marriage, dead end job, miserable friendship or financial pit? Do you realize that God knows right where you are? Your circumstance is not a surprise to Him. He sees you, He hears the desperation in your cry for help. Most of all, He loves you with a love that knows no bounds. He is calling you to take that leap of faith. He will catch you. He will restore what has been taken from you.
The enemy of our soul, Satan, wants to make you feel defeated. He wants you to feel weary, frightened, overwhelmed, weak and defeated. He wants you to give up. He wants you to feel that there is no way out. He loves to make us feel all alone and isolated, believing that no one else has ever faced a mountain like this. Satan’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10.
Don’t believe his lies! God has something much better in store for you. God wants the very best for you. Read the stories in this book from other people who have “been there.” Rise up from the bed of discouragement and listen to the wisdom of other fellow travelers.
Yes, beginning again is a journey, a wonder-filled, exciting, incredible journey. Let these Scriptures and stories wash over you and inspire you for your own faith-filled trip. Get ready…God has great plans for you!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
YOU CAN BEGIN AGAIN!!
Chapter 1: Starting Over….My Story
The day started out as an ordinary day….a Monday. On my short drive to work I popped in a new CD of worship music that my husband had recently downloaded for me. Downloading worship music is one way my husband expresses his love for me. I didn’t realize at the time how much this simple gesture would dramatically change the course of my life.
One song in particular seemed to resonate deep in my mind and heart. It was called “You Can Begin Again” by the Daystar Singers. I played that song over and over in my commute to work each morning. Before long I knew every word and often sang the lyrics in the shower, doing housework and even walking the neighborhood.
You can Begin Again….God was speaking to me many months before I recognized the message that He had for me. I began to hear Him whisper “Your life is going to get rocky – hang on.” I don’t know how you would feel hearing these words, but I was terrified! I wondered “what does going to get rocky mean” and “will I be able to handle it?” I even asked “how much pain is involved here, Lord?” I don’t particularly enjoy pain!
Just a few months later a new management company took over at my place of business. I was shocked and dismayed at the oppressive atmosphere. I often felt bullied by the new management. I had many questions for God beginning with “Why?” “What should I do?” “What is your purpose?” Have you ever been at a point in your life when you found yourself asking God “Why?” “What happened?” “What now?”
The pain and anguish of those questions comes from some of our darkest times. I felt overwhelmed. Every morning I went into my office and asked God to protect me from the darkness. I learned that when I fall on my face before God in pain and anguish, He lifts me up, brushes me off and speaks His love into my mind and heart. I felt His presence each day. I felt him say “I want you to wait.” Waiting ranks right up there with pain as far as I am concerned…I like to avoid both!
I felt like fleeing and never looking back. I wanted to ride off into the sunset! God had a different path for that time…waiting….ugh! Many days I had to take a break from my work, find a quiet place and cry out in pain and frustration to God. I cleaned out my desk, I wrote my resignation and I waited….and waited…and waited some more…
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About the Book
What would happen if people who have lived through life-altering adversities and have successfully started over could give you lessons they have learned about beginning again? What if those lessons came in the form of a handful of life-changing, God-given principles designed just for you? Your life could be forever changed!
In Don’t Give Up!, people just like you share their personal stories of how God helped them not only survive, but also begin the journey of leaving the old behind and beginning again.
What about you? Where do you need to start over?
Are you stuck in a job that is causing you misery and pain?
Is an abusive relationship keeping you feeling trapped and hopeless?
Do you feel like you are just existing and not really living the life you always dreamed of?
What fears keep you up at night?
Where are you stuck?
If you could begin again in some area of your life, where would you like to start?
God is waiting. He believes in you. You can begin again!
About the Author
Anita Kelley is an entrepreneur and the CEO of Anita Kelley Consulting. With God’s help she took the leap of faith to “start over,” and opened her own marketing consulting business in 2009. Anita and her husband, Bruce, live in Edmond, Oklahoma, where they enjoy mentoring, volunteering, exercising, and gardening.