Remember Why You Started

Narda Reid
Jul 23
3 min read

Have you ever started something big and then you froze in anxiety?

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

An old year has past, and a new year has begun for you as you are gifted another birthday. Yet sometimes the past with its incompleteness, and inconsistencies… its follies and failures… its disappointments and disasters may hold our feet captive. Your hope is prisoner to what ifs, and your dreams threaten to become lost in the meandering paths of obligations and the darkness of inner doubt. But! But the sun debuts every day and rises above steep mountains, soaring higher than eagles’ wings, as its purpose frees it from earthly shackles. Move forward; remember why you started.

Have you ever started something big and then you froze in anxiety?

Don't let fear and insecurity distract you. Haven’t you accomplished major milestones? Dream big! Don’t sell yourself short because you cannot see tomorrow. Where you are currently is not God’s “period” for you. Get up from the “commas” in your experiences and professional development; from a failed exam; the loss of a baby; the demotion or no promotion on the job; a failed marriage or business venture; a betrayal or even a victory. Get up from your frozen state in anxiety and insecurity. Move forward, don’t stay still. God is not finished with you and me yet.

The antidote for anxiety is gratitude. Praise God, trust Him, and move forward:

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

There is a little song that my students taught me this year: “Lean forward, lean backwards, to the left, to the right… Stand up! Sit down… to the left, to the right… “Lean forward, lean backwards, to the left, to the right… Stand up! Sit down… to the left, to the right… Love lifted me, Love lifted me, when nothing else could help… Love lifted me.

It is a fun reminder that life is not a stagnant pool of water. A stagnant pool of water doesn’t start to smell the same day; it takes many days of sitting in the same place for this to occur. Therefore, don’t be satisfied with today’s accomplishments. God always wants you to be in motion.

What dreams did God place on your heart? What mission did He propose for you to fulfill? What is in your hand? Even if nothing is in your hands right now, God will take your nothing and turn it into great things! Remember why you started.

Are your dreams bigger than your visible resources? Remember God is good! Trust Him! Is your money funny? Remember God is still good, trust Him! Did your courage somersault because people may question your dreams, saying they are too ambitious or presumptuous? The God you serve can do the impossible. Remember, where God guides, He always provides. Though all hell may break loose, and people and things endeavor to tie up your feet, remember why you started, lean forward, and then backwards while depending fully upon Jesus. Let His love lift you above every obstacle as you “go forward!”

Remember why you started….

Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: