DO YOU ever find yourself saying, “I miss my old self?” It’s really common. But why do we say this?

Maybe you felt you were happier in the past — or things seemed simpler back then.

It could be you’re facing a tough situation now. Someone’s sick, bills are piling up, or maybe you’re afraid you’ll lose your job or your home. And you worry. You’re not the same as you used to be.

Maybe, it’s not your old self that you really miss. Instead, you miss how your life was back then. You miss a situation, not your ‘self’.

What about your ‘new self’? What if your struggles gave you something different? Something new?

Maybe your life has made you more patient and kind. Or maybe you’ve learned to be humble. Or you’ve gained deep wisdom that only comes with experience.

Nobody says you have to like the process, but you can harvest goodness from your struggles. And goodness is meant to be shared.

If this isn’t happening, maybe you could ask God to help you.

Let him help you to begin again.

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And he who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:5

PRAYER TO BEGIN AGAIN

O blessed Lord,

I’m tired and worn out. I’m not sure I even like myself anymore.

Do you see my struggle? Won’t you help me please?

I yearn for the past, for better, simpler times.

But I know I can’t go back.

So here I am before you, asking for and needing help.

Take my struggle and my shame. Transform it all, O Lord.

By the power of your Spirit take my hurt and change it into wisdom and grace.

By your mighty hand take hold of my dead places and breathe new life into them.

Let me begin again, somehow more holy, somehow strong and kind, even though I’ve struggled for so long.

I can’t do it alone, but you can. Let me begin again.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.