It seems with the new year lots of people sets goals and/or resolutions but how many of us actually keep them?  Have you ever stopped to think what keeps you from obtaining your goals?  Without realizing it, sometimes we let our past hinder us from reaching new points in our lives.  Remember my motto, "You gotta let go of the old to get something new".  Well that is directly related to this...
     We've all made mistakes in our lives.  We can't change our past so we have to learn to move past the mistakes in order to move forward.  That bad relationship; that drug addiction; that depressing point in your life.  If at some point we can't see that God takes us through storms to make us stronger, we'll never be able to find that new mate (the one God intended for us to have in the first place); we'll never stop feeling sorry for ourselves long enough for us to be free of the addictions or to regain our sanity. 
     Psalms 119:71(NLT) says, "The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles".  Sometimes the things we go through in life are so that God can get our attention.  If you keep doing the same thing, you'll always get the same thing.  With that being said, sometimes we have to take a detour from what we've come to know as normal.  The key is not dwelling on where we've been but focusing on where we're about to go. 

     I've had some detours in my life as I'm sure we all have.  Sometimes I feel like I'm never gonna get back on track.  Realizing that there are times when I must suffer, I remind myself of God's promises.  Psalms 30:5 (NLT) says, "His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!  Weeping may go on all night but joy comes with the morning".   That tells me that God will take me through the storms when he sees fit, but he knows how much I can handle.  He doesn't take me through these storms so that he can destroy me, he's preparing me and strengthening me for what lies ahead.       
     So, the next time you set those goals think of God's promises.  Let go of all the things that have happened in the past.  Forget about what happened last time you tried to start a new diet, a new relationship, a new job, etc..  When you're at the point where God wants you to be, no matter what you try he'll give you everything you need to make it through.  God Bless----Anita