July 22, 2025
Friend, if you’ve found yourself in a season of darkness—wishing someone would take your face in their hands and remind you that rescue is coming—let me be that person for you today.
Take a deep breath, and hear these words: I promise you, based on the words of Scripture, that you are not alone. Whatever you are facing, hold on; don’t give up. Even if you can’t see it, God is starting a new thing in your life. It may not be what you’re expecting or when you’re expecting it, but it is coming. Hold on to the hope in Isaiah 43:19: “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.”
No matter what season you’re in, take some time to trace the faithful hand of God in your life so far. Cry tears of gratitude for His rescue. And then, when your heart starts to lighten, rejoice in God’s faithfulness.
I’m rejoicing with you! Our God is so good and so generous. I want to challenge us both to cling to the comfort God has provided in our troubles so we can also comfort others in their brokenness (2 Corinthians 1:4). God is inviting us to be carriers of His grace, His Word, and His love.—Meredith Brock1
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My husband and I recently found ourselves on our own again. After raising ten children over 40 years, I didn’t see this coming!
We’ve always been a close-knit family, but of course, as the children have grown up, one by one they’ve been moving on. I cried each time, as it felt like a piece of my heart was being torn away.
Now, as I waved goodbye to the “baby” of the family, I wondered, What now? How are we to move on or start a new life? Every change is so difficult. Every time, we have to change our mindset, adopt new habits and new thought patterns. God spoke to my heart, saying this was my chance to let go and let Him do a new thing in my life.
After thinking and reading about it more, here are some pointers that I found helpful in my journey:
Prayer: Jesus, I accept that You are doing a new thing in my life. Help me to be thankful in whatever You send my way. I put my life and the lives of my children in Your hands and trust fully in Your care. Please be very present in my life and heart.—Melody Cagle
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Every new beginning we face is a step of faith because we don’t know what events will transpire. But when you look back years from now, what do you want to see? We can look at the future and feel fear, worry, or get anxious because we do not feel in control.
The good news: No matter what change may come and whatever new beginning awaits us, God is with us always. Know and believe God has put certain things in your path and has given you various opportunities so He could prepare you for your purpose. We need to learn and trust God and allow these opportunities to grow us, develop us, and increase our faith.
Think of Joshua when he took over the leadership of Israel from Moses. That was a huge new beginning and change for him and for the people of Israel. When that happened, God made a promise to Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:5–6). Be encouraged—God is walking this journey with you. You are not alone through new beginnings.—Billy Graham2
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We are moving. Cleaning out boxes from the attic has left me more unsettled and emotional than I ever anticipated. As I open each crate, I vividly remember the way life used to be—the hobbies I used to love, the things I used to do. Thumbing through my mementos, I am reminded again that the life I’m living now isn’t what I signed up for. Nothing has turned out as I planned. While I am deeply convinced that I’m living out God’s best for me, there are days I mourn the loss of what used to be. … My diagnosis of post-polio syndrome changed [everything].
All of us face disappointments. Our lives look vastly different than we imagined they would. People dream of certain careers and accomplishments, but family issues or unexpected events make careers take a backseat. Young lovers believe they will have the perfect family, yet somehow their family doesn’t even resemble their vision. So, what do we do? How do we get past this nagging feeling that there should be more to life? …
This counsel from John Piper has been immeasurably helpful to me: “Occasionally, weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have.”
After I have wept and grieved, I wash my face. I don’t just dry my tears. I take a warm cloth and wipe the salty streaks from my cheeks. I let the soothing warmth move across my skin. Then I splash cool water on my face to refresh me, redirect my thoughts, and fix my eyes on the Lord. Only then can I move on.
This is a deliberate act, a choice I make to refocus. When I refocus, I take my eyes off my problems and shift them on to the Lord—and I choose to trust him. Trust him even when my situation looks black. Trust him that he is working for my good. Trust him that he knows what is best.
Finally, I am called to embrace the life I have. Embrace it as I would a beloved friend. Wholeheartedly. With joyful acceptance, not grudging obedience. Embracing means gladly receiving and even welcoming whatever the Lord gives me, even when it wasn’t in my plans. It means being fully present, living in the now, finding joy in the moment, and not longing for what’s past.
So today, if you are feeling weary and disappointed about your life, allow yourself to grieve. To weep deeply. To mourn the loss of what you hoped for. But then after you have lamented, wash your face, trust God, and embrace the life he’s given you.
In a world of great sadness and loss, God told his people, “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” (Isaiah 43:18–19).
The Lord is indeed doing a new thing in my life. And yours as well. He is making a way in the wilderness and forging streams in the wasteland. Lean into it and embrace it. God is doing something beautiful.—Vaneetha Rendall Risner3
Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Fogarty.
1 Meredith Brock, “Rescue Is Coming—Don’t Give Up Yet,” Proverbs 31, May 15, 2024, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/05/15/rescue-is-coming-dont-give-up-yet
2 Billy Graham, “5 Things the Bible Says About New Beginnings,” Billy Graham Library blog, January 5, 2022, https://billygrahamlibrary.org/blog-5-things-the-bible-says-about-new-beginnings-2
3 Vaneetha Rendall Risner, “Embrace the Life You Have,” Desiring God, May 15, 2017, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/embrace-the-life-you-have
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