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Devotional

How to go backwards to move forward

Sometimes in order to go forward, you have to go backwards but why would anyone want to go backwards?

Going backwards may seem counterproductive to whatever goal you have set in motion. However, to go back means that you revisiting the place where you felt weak and God made you strong. You go back to when you thought you wouldn’t make it but did. Back to when you thought you were going to die but you came out of the wilderness leaning on your Beloved Father. You reminisce on seasons when you were in the valley and God gave you strength to go through. Back when you couldn’t see over the mountain but God elevated you.

As counterproductive as it seems, the action of going back in thought is beneficial to your growth. It’s often the Christian’s plea for God to roll back the curtains so they cannot forget how far they have sojourned. You can fight spiritual amnesia by going back. Remember, in order to go forward, we have to go back and recall how God faithfully led us.

Are you feeling stuck? Ready to give up and throw in the towel? Are you feeling as though you will not make it? Go back! Sometimes going back needs to happen so you can move forward and accomplish what you need to accomplish now. Go back to when you believed those lies about yourself; the lies that you couldn’t do it but you did, the lies that said you weren’t equipped but with God you overcame. If you are at a place where you have forgotten who you are and what’s in you, go back! Go back and remember how God met you along the way! Go back and remember how he came through for you – every time!

You are God’s, and He placed a lot in you – a lot that will be of benefit to generations to come. What you carry inside of you is powerful! Do not believe the lies of the enemy. The mountain that’s before you now will not crush you. The darkness that you’re going through will come to an end. Do not allow what’s before you or the pressure that’s on you to cause you to forfeit what God has for you.

God knows that you don’t know what’s next and you know what He says? “I am with you; you are not alone! He says, “Do not focus on what’s around you and before you, but focus on what’s inside of you – My Spirit.” Greater is He who is in you than the one who is in the world. Greater is He who is in you than the lies that cloud your mind! The One who is in you is greater than your faults and weaknesses! God is greater than all your struggles!

Beloved, shake off the doubt, anxiety, and unbelief. Take captive the lies you have been believing about yourself. You are more than capable! You can preach that word! You can write that book! You can own that business! You can lead that ministry! God called you and equipped you for this! You’ve had so much on you; so much shame, regret, unbelief, doubt, anxiety – but today, God wants to free you! Go back and remember how the God of Israel brought you through! 

Prayer:

God, I give you my anxieties, fears, doubts, and confusion. I give you this weight in exchange for your peace and joy. Father, I believe, help my unbelief. Help me to not focus on what’s around me and before me. Help me to focus on what’s inside of me – Christ in me, the hope of glory. I lay down all the things that I have made idols in my life and I build an altar for you, God. The stages of my life do not surprise you and my weakness don’t repel you. Thank you, God, for how you’ve led me to this point. Thank you for the renewed faith that will rise up in my heart. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Amen.

Scriptures to meditate on: Philippians 4:13, 1 John 4:4, Psalm 77:12

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