When You Feel Like You've Lost So Much Time: God Can Still Redeem Your Story

Time Lost

There may be seasons in a woman's life when she looks back and wonders, "Where did all the time go?"  Perhaps years were spent blaming herself for things she could not change, holding onto anger because of what happened, or carrying shame over choices she whishes she could undo.

For many Christian women, the pain is not only remembering what happened-it is grieving the time that seems to have been lost because of it.

We often may find ourselves thinking things like;

"If only I had known what I know now"

"If only I had spoken up"

If only I had left sooner"

"If only I had forgiven myself"

But God does not ask us to live the rest of our lives imprisioned by our pasts.

Self-Blame

Self-blame can become a heavy burden.  When we continually punish ourselves for yesterday, we can lose sight of what God wants to do in our lives today.

There is a difference between acknowledging our mistakes and allowing our mistakes to define us.

God's grace reminds us that our past does not have the final word.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Our stories may contain very painful chapters, but God is still writing!

Let Go Of The Anger

Anger often can grow from hurt.  Sometimes, we can hold onto anger because it feels like a way of protecting ourselves from being hurt again.

When we carry anger year after year it can exhaust our hearts, minds, bodies and drain us emotionally.

Letting go does not mean that pretending what happened to us was acceptable.  It does not mean denying your pain or allowing someone to hurt you again.  Forgiveness does not require you to remove healthy boundaries.

It means surrendering the weight of vengeance and allowing God to deal with what you cannot control.

"Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord."

Romans 12:19 NKJV

You do not have to spend another season carrying what God never intended you to carry alone.

Release the Shame

Shame says, "There is something wrong with me"

God's Grace says, "Come to Me."

Shame can cause a woman to hide-from God, from others, and even from herself.  But God already knows every painful detail of your story.  Nothing about your past has surprised Him.

You can come to Him honestly.

You can bring HIm the tears, the anger, the regret, the questions, and the things you wish had been different.

There is no healing in pretending that you are not hurting.  Healing begins when you are willing to bring your wounded heart into God's prescence.

You Cannot Change Yesterday, But God Can Use Today

One of the greatest traps of regret is believing that because you lost time, your future is lost too.

It is'nt.

You cannot go back and recover yesterday, but you can surrender today to God.

God can take the peices of your story and use them to bring wisdom, compassion, strength, and purpose.

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:29 NKJV

God does not waste your pain.

Give Yourself Permission to Heal

Healing takes time and it is not a race.

Give yourself permission to acknowledge what hurt you.

Give yourself permission to grieve what you lost.

Give yourself permission to forgive yourself for the things you did not know at the time.

Give yourself permission to grow Spiritually.

And most  improtantly, give yourself permission to believe that God still has purpose for your life.

Your age does not disqualify you.

Your past does not disqualify you.

Your mistakes do not disqualify you.

Your painful experiences do not disqualify you.

God can meet you right where you are.

There is Still Time

Maybe we feel that you cannot get back the years that you lost.  But there is still time to laugh again.  There is still time to love again.  There is still time to dream again.  There is still time to serve God, encourage other women, strengthen your Faith, and walk in the purpose He has for you.

"So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Psalm 90:12 NKJV

Place the past in God's hands and ask HIm to guide the days ahead.

The years behind you may contain pain, but the years ahead can contain healing, growth, purpose and renewed joy.