I absolutely love the concept of a fresh start. The idea that no matter what life has looked like up until this moment, we can start anew, with better habits, attitudes, dreams and endeavors. It might sound a bit “rainbows and butterflies” to some, but the truth behind fresh starts can be found all throughout the Bible. Yet how many of us really believe we have the ability, through God’s grace to think and act like a brand new being, starting tomorrow?

Sadly, so many of us become so hung up on our failures, sins, disappointments, and regrets, that after enough time, we lose faith, and even forget about God’s ability to restore every part of our lives. Logically, we know God keeps no records of wrongs, and his mercies are new every morning. But often shame, disappointment and disillusionment cloud our ability to see life through His eyes. Here are three amazing truths to cling to, when praying for a fresh start:

1. Do-Overs Begin In Our Minds

According to a study by the National Science Foundation, around 80 percent of our thoughts are negative. Eighty percent! No wonder we never quite feel like our “best selves.” We’re tainting our destiny with our thought life. This is exactly the concept Proverbs 23:7 is referring to, when King Solomon states “as a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” In other words, if we entertain doubts and fears that we’ll always have a loveless marriage, or always struggle financially, we probably will. Because our thoughts dictate our actions.

Author Jennie Allen brilliantly explores the correlation between our reality and thought life in her bestselling book, Get Out of Your Head, contesting that the greatest spiritual battleground right now, in 2024, is our thought life. If the enemy controls our thoughts about Him, our identity, and the world around us, then he easily keeps us from living the abundant life God wants for us.

A bit depressing, but here’s the amazing news. Ultimately, we have the power. We have a choice on what thoughts we allow to settle, ruminate, and inhabit ate shelf life in our minds. We have the ability, in Christ, to start thinking differently, today. It may sound a bit daunting or unrealistic, but according to 2 Corinthians 10:5, every thought (”I’m not attractive enough to find a man”….”I know this will end in divorce”…”I am a horrible mother”) should be examined for Godly accuracy. If it doesn’t line up with what the Bible says, we must take it captive and make it obedient to the Word. This process takes time and continual effort, but according to Scripture and science, we can train our minds to think differently.

The same premise is taught in Romans 12:22: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” When we continually infuse truth into our minds, new neural pathways full of life and freedom begin to form, serving as the foundation for whatever do-over we seek. A formerly jealous mind can become a contented one. A formerly addictive personality can become a self-controlled one. A formerly apathic mind can become passionate one. The change is limitless.

Consider taking a solid chunk of time to think about what thought patterns are limiting you from the life you want? What repetitive emotions (because thoughts give birth to emotions) are in conflict with the spirit of Jesus? Are you being tormented over decisions you made regarding your kids in the past? What attitudes about your marriage or your job do you want to drop? What truths do you need to replace with lies, apprehension, and negativity?

Thank the Lord, through his infinite mercy and restorative power, we all can become new creations in the very next breath we take…but we have to think before we become.

2. Your Do-Over Is God’s Delight

One of my favorite teenage experiences was going to the mall and getting Glamour Shots. For all the younger millennials remaining clueless to the magic I speak of, Glamour Shots was an admittedly absurd business model offering Hollywood-style hair, makeup and clothing before capturing your new self with industry grade photography.  I know it sounds ridiculous, but honestly, back then the experience of transforming from a lanky 14-year-old to Vanna White in less than an hour was exhilaratingly fun.

I feel like God sees our do-overs with the same enthusiasm.  One of the most profound scriptures related to new beginnings is Isaiah 61:3-4, “To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” When you think about ashes, what comes to mind? Destruction. Dirtiness. Decay. Obliteration. And yet from a dirty, odorous pile of nothing, God creates beauty, blessings, and joy. Why? And How? Based on his sentiments later in this verse, I think it’s because He deeply delights, and is almost adamant about new beginnings:

“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?

God specializes in redeeming the broken and breathing new life upon the decay in our lives.  God doesn’t care if you’re misusing alcohol, still succumb to bouts of anger, or if you’ve been as vein as a Kardashian your entire life. He can transform you into a version unrecognizable to yourself, if you let him.

Remember. If God’s not keeping track or retaining disappointment about our failures and proclivities, why should we? Let’s take an area of many people’s lives they’d love a fresh start in: being a better parent. What are the first things that come to mind, that hold you back?  “It’s too late” I’ve done the damage. I’ve been so neglectful for so long, they wouldn’t even accept me.” Do you recognize the underlying themes tied to these emotions? Often, it’s condemnation. Condemnation is the invisible Oz behind the curtain of our minds, pulling at our emotions and castrating our belief that God really can transform us completely.  I’ve been a frequent flying customer on guilt trips for four decades now, so I get it. But what if right now, right here, you decide to believe that your past sins, mistakes and bad patterns do not define you?  What if this verse below, is not only true, but applicable to you, in this moment today?

Isaiah 43:25: The Lord says, “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” They have been buried so deeply in the flesh of Jesus that they will never be seen or heard from again.

God loves moving forward, and disdains looking back. Your new beginning has already been arranged. He’s already envisioned and equipped you to live in a good marriage, sleep without anxiety, live without a spirit of criticism towards others. But you have to want it, too. We need to exercise faith and partner with God, otherwise we’ll fall into the same sin and trap Lot’s wife did, when she looked back at her burning home in Sodom and was turned to a pillar of salt.

When Lot’s wife looked back, she didn’t do it out of curiosity or just to see the destruction of Sodom. She looked back longingly on what she had left back in Sodom. She looked back because she wanted to go back. Sometimes our patterns of behavior, however destructive or exhausting, can feel like home to us. It can be scary giving a vice up, or making ourselves vulnerable but it is possible, if we desire it.

God is the endless giver of do overs. He delights in mercy and new beginnings and it’s all by his grace, so we don’t have to white knuckle ourselves to newness. Jesus already paid the price, and freedom is found in the forward. It’s the only direction God moves. No more looking back. No more shame, regret, self-loathing or clinging to gross familiarity. You are God’s ever evolving, ever refining chosen one.

3. Do-overs Can’t Happen Without Forgiveness
   

The idea of a fresh start is one of the best gifts God gives us. And it’s completely free, no strings attached, and ours for the taking. But as we all know, the best things in life usually don’t come easily. A good marriage requires hard work. True apprenticeship to Jesus takes sacrifice, and effort. A complete do-over in any area of life- marriage, career, lifestyle, ministry…takes forgiveness. It’s one hundred percent impossible to enjoy a clean slate, with no regret or shame, if we harbor even one ounce of unforgiveness towards another, or even ourselves.

It’s not the most popular of truths, but it makes sense, right? We can’t expect God to transform all our baggage to beauteous wonder when we’re still begrudging a former friend, or pointing our fingers towards our spouse. Ashes and beauty simply can’t co-exist. The ash of unforgiveness will eventually reveal itself. A windy day will come and eventually unearth unforgiveness, tainting the new path God is leading us towards.

Equally as powerful and necessary for new beginnings is the ability to forgive yourself. I know in my motherhood journey, I’ve had to forgive myself for ways I’ve let my kids down through the years. Self-loathing is brutal. It’s like an undetectable, lethal cancer infecting and weakening every ounce of your soul until surrendered and cured by the blood of Jesus. Consider searching your heart to make sure you’ve forgiven yourself as much as He’s forgiven you. God used a former murder to write the better part of the New Testament. He transformed a prior adulterer into the only man entitled “A man after God’s own heart.” Paul, David and so many others truly rocked their do-overs. But they first had to apply the power of forgiveness in their lives before living anew.

Your do-over is possible, today. It’s never too late. It’s never too hard. Every new beginning can be found, in Him. xo

For more on how to live differently, check out my post “3 Ways to Transform Your Thought Life.”