Isaiah 43:16-19
“Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: ‘Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.’”
There was a six-year period of heart-breaking circumstances in my life that I hope never to repeat. I felt like the blows against our family just keep coming. What I didn’t realize was that in my wilderness season I had begun to live life “waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
My mind was so busy thinking about past and present hurts that I began to look for new hurts around every corner. Because of my misplaced focus, I was missing how God was working for my spiritual good in the midst of my circumstances.
Have you been there, friend? Are you there now, struggling to see God’s new work in a lingering season of pain?
To prepare ourselves to see God’s good work in difficult times, we have to shift our focus.
It’s not easy, but Isaiah 43:16-19 contains three important insights that can help us do just that. These steps can prepare our hearts to be fertile ground for God’s work, even when we feel like we are in a barren wilderness season.
In our focus verses, Isaiah shared God’s words as He addressed the Israelites and gave three ways to shift their focus onto Him.
- God reminded the Israelites of how He had moved on their behalf in the past.
- He instructed them to “remember not” these past events. (Interesting twist, huh?)
- He invited them to look for new ways He would move on their behalf.
It was a slow process, but in my own challenging season I finally began practicing these three spiritual shifts in perspective. Slowly, my eyes were opened to the work God was doing in my own heart and soul.
Friends, I invite you to join me over the next three weeks as we look at each of these pieces of wisdom and how we can apply them to our seasons of suffering. Will you join me?
Until next time,
Shelby
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