Every good start comes with hope, energy, and commitment. Hope that everything will be fine. Energy is the fuel needed to work toward making everything okay, and dedication is the energy required to keep pushing, even in hard times.
Regardless of whether you are optimistic or not, a new or fresh start comes with an excitement that is hard to hide. Perhaps what I have said above might not be true for you; however, nobody frowns at new things—for instance, a new car, a new shirt, a paycheck, or even a new hairdo.
Today is one of those days when we are most hopeful. With all that happened in 2020, the least we can do is hope for a better year ahead. It is a new year; why not be hopeful and trust God?
Many are yet to recover from the shock of the previous year. Are we to hold on to the pain and suffering of the past? No! There is no time to drown in anger or despair. We must pick up the pieces—hoping, working, and pushing against the forces that oppose our advancement.
"Fight back?" some might question.
I am only pointing to this:
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)." — 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
I know some might not be into the "Christian thing," and I hear and respect you. However, I ask you to spend a little time out of your busy schedule to finish this post, because this might be the very thing you need to hear right now.
I have shared this story many times on different platforms. To those who have heard it before, please forgive me. We can all agree that new visitors have the right to hear my story. That said, I would encourage old visitors to stick around, because there is a part you don't know yet.
The Reluctant Prophet
In November 2019, the Spirit of God laid it on my heart to lead a 31-day prayer and praise program. It was to be held from the 1st to the 31st of December 2019. I am not one to say no to enjoying time with God, so I was excited. However, my excitement quickly switched to unwillingness when the Spirit told me to record the program and publish it to the world.
"I can’t do this!" I thought. Speaking is not for me. Besides, I didn’t have the right tools. I told myself I was the wrong person for the assignment. Those were the lies I used to comfort myself.
After days of fighting and trying to convince myself it was all in my head, I felt no peace. There was a sense of urgency and unrest within me. My breaking point came when I remembered Moses. He kept giving excuses as to why he was the wrong person to deliver the Israelites in Exodus, Chapter 3.
Finally, I agreed. I decided to use a podcast format—restarting a channel I had abandoned because I felt I "sucked" at creating content. It wasn't complicated; I pray always, so the only issue was that there might be a lot of "blabbing," but I committed to doing it.
On the 30th of November 2019, I was working on some book reviews and articles. I asked my husband if the next day was the 1st of December, and he said yes. That was when I realized the prayer and recording sessions were about to begin. I was in shock, confused, in denial, and even in pain.
The Warning: "Winds Will Blow"
On the 20th of December 2019, the word of God came through me: "2020 will not be as easy as you imagine. Winds will blow, and if you are not solidly planted in the Word of God or Jesus Christ, you will be blown away."
I had never experienced anything like that. After those words were spoken, my body felt like it wasn't mine. I felt an uncommon chill, and immediately started questioning what I had just said. If you listen to that recording, you'll hear me say something like, "I don't mean to be a prophet of doom, but this is what I am hearing." I spoke those words because I was genuinely scared of the message.
The Eye of the Storm (Italy)
2020 eventually arrived and took the world by storm. Italy was the first place in Europe hit by the virus. Not only that, but the first region hit was Lombardia—where I live. As if that wasn't enough, the town with the most cases in Italy was only 30 minutes away from my home.
Our help had to leave because he came into contact with "Patient 1." My husband insisted we stop attending Sunday services in person. I was against it and frowned at his decision. A week later, we learned the church had been closed because the priests' help had contracted the virus. My husband had been hearing from God for our protection.
As of today, my parish has only two priests left out of seven; the rest passed away from the virus. 70% of the seniors in our local retirement home are gone. It has been devastating.
Yet, while danger was all around us, no harm befell my family. None of my extended family members fell to the virus. None of our tenants were struck down. Our help tested negative. Our closest friends are healthy and alive.
"Oh, you are just lucky," some might say. No, it is simply that I serve a living God. A God who knows the end from the beginning. A God who still speaks through His children and is too faithful to fail.
"For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." — Malachi 3:6
A New Beginning
Welcome to a new start. You can start a new life today if you want. God is so good that He spoke about 2021 even back in early 2020. In my podcast recording from February 29th, 2020, I shared what I heard: "2021 will seem like a period of rest from all we have lost... but it is just the beginning. The only sure way is to cling unto God."
Giving your life to Christ is the perfect start for anyone who feels lost, broken, or confused. It is only through Jesus that we gain access to the Father. Throughout the Bible, God used individuals like Noah, Joseph, and Moses to aid the deliverance of others. In the New Testament, Jesus redeemed the Samaritan woman, Lazarus, and the woman with the issue of blood. Let Him secure your future too.
Lord Jesus, I thank you for this opportunity to meet you. Thank you for loving me, even in my unfaithfulness. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, giving me the opportunity to reconcile with the Father. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. I believe in you, and I ask for the grace to be a better person. Amen.
Congratulations, you have just started anew. Welcome to a new beginning!
P.S. As we navigate this new year together, here is a practical blessing for those sending support to loved ones:
I use LemFi to send money safely. ✅ Claim Your Instant €15 Bonus! 🚀 When you send over 100 EUR with my referral link.I hope you've found this helpful. If so, please drop me a comment. And if you’d like to spend more time with me, check out my other posts!
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