Turn the Page

Every day is a new chapter in our lives. But many people never turn the page. You can’t finish a book without turning pages. Otherwise the story never moves on. And you can’t finish the story by looking back at what you’ve already read.

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.” ~Luke 9:62 AMP (emphasis added)

Whenever I read a book, of course I always root for the hero and heroine, the good guys! And there are always those bad guys in the book that just rub me the wrong way. They sure make things unfair for the main characters. In fact, they just plain make me mad! Then I turn the page and something good happens. The story turns around and good always wins over bad. Hey, wait a minute… that sounds very much like real life.

Maybe you have had some unfair things happen in your life. Maybe you don’t understand why bad things happen to good people. A lot of that is due to the fact that we have an enemy who is doing his best to try to destroy us.

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. ~1 Peter 5:8 AMP (emphasis added)

But we also have an Advocate who has fought our battles and won! We don’t have to stay on the same page and live in defeat and intimidation. We can turn the page and see what new blessings God has in store for us.

And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world. ~1 John 2:2 AMP (emphasis added)

You do not have to settle for where you are. Bad times are not your lot in life. Thinking positive, getting a new and bigger vision for your life, getting a new attitude, and especially letting go of the past will launch you forward into the rest of your story. Don’t settle. God has some great big plans for you, but you have to be willing to let go of the old stuff. You have to be willing to turn the page.

The things in your past are not as important as what is right there in front of you, waiting for you to grab a hold of. Reach out! Grab it! Don’t let go! You can’t move forward while hanging onto the past. Move forward into something new and exciting for your life. Turn the page and start a new chapter; one filled with God’s blessings, God’s favor, God’s victory for your life!

Shelley Wilburn

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.