1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:08,400 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Welcome to a brand new year. If you're 2 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: like many, today might bring a mixt of emotions. Excitement 3 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: for a fresh start, anxiety over the unknown, or maybe 4 00:00:19,040 --> 00:00:22,799 Speaker 1: even a lingering weight from the past. So many of 5 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 1: us enter the new year feeling burdened by past mistakes, failures, 6 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: or regrets. The enemy would love nothing more than to 7 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 1: keep us stuck in shame, replaying the moments we wish 8 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:39,559 Speaker 1: we could erase. But here's the truth. Our God is 9 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:44,240 Speaker 1: a god of redemption, of new beginnings, of fresh mercies. 10 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: Every morning, including this one. Today, we're going to talk 11 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:53,680 Speaker 1: about trusting God's redemption over our past. We'll explore what 12 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 1: it means to step forward in faith instead of shame, 13 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,280 Speaker 1: to trust God's plan instead of our past, and to 14 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 1: fully embrace the fresh start he offers us through his 15 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: love and grace. We'll dive in right after this brief 16 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:15,160 Speaker 1: word from our sponsor, Welcome back to your hope filled 17 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:19,000 Speaker 1: perspective or it's always our goal to restore hope, renew minds, 18 00:01:19,160 --> 00:01:23,280 Speaker 1: and empower listeners to live in your God given identity. 19 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:28,520 Speaker 1: We will equip you with encouragement and biblical truth you 20 00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:31,920 Speaker 1: need to walk in hope. I'm your host, doctor Michelle Bankson, 21 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:35,200 Speaker 1: and I'm so grateful that you're joining me for today's episode. 22 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: As we kick off this new year. If stepping into 23 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 1: this new year has felt more like stepping into a 24 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:45,440 Speaker 1: cloud of uncertainty, I want you to know you're not alone. 25 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 1: More importantly, you're not without hope. Today we are going 26 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 1: to explore what God's word says about new beginnings and 27 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 1: how we can release the past to walk confidently into 28 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:03,080 Speaker 1: His plans for the future. To start off this episode, 29 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:06,480 Speaker 1: I just remind us of a few scriptures that are applicable. 30 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: God is in the business of making things new. So 31 00:02:11,080 --> 00:02:15,239 Speaker 1: one of my favorite reminders is found in Isaiah forty three, 32 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: verses eighteen to nineteen that says, forget the former things, 33 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:24,240 Speaker 1: do not dwell on the past. See I'm doing a 34 00:02:24,320 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: new thing now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? 35 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: I am making a way in the wilderness and streams 36 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 1: in the wasteland. If you're struggling to let go of 37 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:39,440 Speaker 1: past failures, please hear this today. God is doing a 38 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 1: new thing in your life. The question is will you 39 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:49,800 Speaker 1: embrace it? Lamentations three, verses twenty two through twenty three 40 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:55,520 Speaker 1: offers us assurance. Because of the Lord's great love, we 41 00:02:55,600 --> 00:03:00,080 Speaker 1: are not consumed. For as compassions never fail, they they 42 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:05,119 Speaker 1: are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. So no 43 00:03:05,120 --> 00:03:08,680 Speaker 1: matter what yesterday held, today is a new day and 44 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:14,280 Speaker 1: His mercies are fresh and waiting for you. Let's keep 45 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:18,560 Speaker 1: moving forward with practical steps that you can take as 46 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: you step into this new year with confidence and hope. 47 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:27,079 Speaker 1: Practical tip number one Release what you cannot change. Holding 48 00:03:27,120 --> 00:03:31,639 Speaker 1: on to past regrets won't change them, So I encourage 49 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 1: you to take a moment to pray and surrender those 50 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: memories to God, repenting where necessary, and trusting Him to 51 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 1: use even your mistakes for his glory. Practical tip number two, 52 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:51,640 Speaker 1: replace the shame with truth. The enemy often whispers lies 53 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: of unworthiness and failure, but friend, God calls you redeemed. 54 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 1: Meditate on scriptures that remind you of your identity in 55 00:04:02,480 --> 00:04:07,080 Speaker 1: Christ because you are loved, valued, and renewed every day. 56 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: And sometimes I get emails or messages saying, but I 57 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 1: don't really know what God says about me. If you'll 58 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:18,719 Speaker 1: go to my website doctor michelleb dot com and type 59 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 1: in the search bar what God says about me, I've 60 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 1: got a whole list of scriptures for you that talk 61 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: specifically about how God sees you and what He says 62 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: about you. So go to doctor michellebe dot com and 63 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:39,960 Speaker 1: avail yourself of that resource. Practical tip number three set 64 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: your eyes on the future, not the past. And I 65 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:47,159 Speaker 1: know this can be hard. So often, even when we 66 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 1: want healing, we spend a lot of time looking at 67 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:54,800 Speaker 1: the past. And I understand that, and it has its place. 68 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 1: But in Philippiums three, verses thirteen through fourteen, the appause 69 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 1: so Paul encourages us forgetting what is behind and straining 70 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:09,119 Speaker 1: toward what is head. I press on towards the goal. 71 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:14,480 Speaker 1: So today, commit to focusing on God's promises for your future. 72 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: Each new day is a step towards the plans He 73 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 1: has created you, plans filled with hope and purpose. Where 74 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 1: there is uncertainty, seek God's will for your future. Now, 75 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 1: some of you have written to me and said, but 76 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: I don't know God's promises, or how do I know 77 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 1: which promises are applicable to me. That's where you may 78 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: want to avail yourself of my book. Today is going 79 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 1: to be a good day. Ninety promises from God to 80 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 1: start your day off right. It's called Today is Going 81 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 1: to be a Good Day. Practical tip number four. Surround 82 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:54,880 Speaker 1: yourself with encouragement. Fellowship is key. The enemy would love 83 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 1: to isolate you, but we weren't created to be alone. 84 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 1: Whether it's through Christian friends, a church community, or aspirational 85 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 1: books and podcasts, fill your life with voices that affirm 86 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 1: your worth and point you toward God's truth. When more 87 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:19,600 Speaker 1: surrounded by encouragement, the journey to healing and new beginnings 88 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:25,720 Speaker 1: becomes much more manageable. Practical tip number five, Start each 89 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:30,160 Speaker 1: day with a fresh perspective. Begin every morning by thanking 90 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:33,920 Speaker 1: God for a new day and seeking his guidance for today. 91 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: A short prayer or a moment of reflection can reset 92 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:41,000 Speaker 1: your mind, reminding you of His promises that His mercies 93 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 1: are new every morning. Consider journaling your thoughts and prayers 94 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:48,760 Speaker 1: to track the fresh starts and breakthroughs that God's bringing 95 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:51,839 Speaker 1: into your life again. If you need a resource to 96 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 1: start your day in God's word, reflecting on his promises, 97 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 1: I encourage you to pick up a copy of my 98 00:06:57,240 --> 00:06:59,600 Speaker 1: book Today is Going to Be a Good Day, ninety 99 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:02,840 Speaker 1: says from God to start your day off right. Friends, 100 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: We're going to take a brief word for this message 101 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,120 Speaker 1: from our sponsor, but I want you to stick with 102 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 1: me so that we can continue the conversation about trusting 103 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:15,840 Speaker 1: God as we step into the new the new year. 104 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 1: We'll be right back. Before the break, we talked about 105 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 1: embracing practical steps for a fresh start. I gave you 106 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 1: five practical tips. We discussed releasing what we can't change 107 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:35,240 Speaker 1: through repentance and surrender, replacing shame with the truth of 108 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 1: God's word, setting your eyes on the future, not the past, 109 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: and seeking God for a direction. Surround yourself with encouragement 110 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:50,640 Speaker 1: and start each day with a fresh perspective. As I 111 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 1: encourage you to take a moment now to reflect on 112 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 1: these steps, ask yourself, what burdens do I need to surrender? 113 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 1: Which scriptures will I meditate on to replace shame with truth? 114 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:09,240 Speaker 1: And then allow God to fill you with hope as 115 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: you anticipate the new things He's ready to do in 116 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 1: your life. I don't know what your past holds, but 117 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 1: I do know this. God is bigger than your mistakes, 118 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:26,920 Speaker 1: greater than your failures, and ever faithful in his love. 119 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,840 Speaker 1: As you step into this new year, old onto the 120 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 1: promise that He is doing something new in your life. 121 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,079 Speaker 1: God loves us too much to leave us where we are. 122 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 1: You no longer have to be weighed down by what was. Instead, 123 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 1: embrace what is to come, knowing that God's plans for 124 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:51,640 Speaker 1: you are filled with hope, purpose, and renewal. Today we 125 00:08:51,880 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 1: covered the truth that God is a God of new beginnings. 126 00:08:56,360 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 1: Remember Isaiah forty three eighteen through nineteen and Lamentation three 127 00:09:00,880 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: twenty two through twenty three. We covered practical ways to 128 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 1: let go of past regrets by releasing what you cannot 129 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 1: change and replacing the shame with God's truth. And we 130 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: covered how focusing on the future and surrounding yourself with 131 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 1: encouragement can help you step into your new identity. And finally, 132 00:09:22,559 --> 00:09:26,239 Speaker 1: we covered the importance of starting each day with gratitude 133 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 1: and a fresh perspective. As you leave this episode, I 134 00:09:30,679 --> 00:09:34,360 Speaker 1: encourage you to put these steps into practice tonight, reflect 135 00:09:34,400 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 1: on the scriptures we discussed, and commit to a fresh 136 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 1: start tomorrow morning. We're not talking about new year's resolutions 137 00:09:42,240 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 1: or big lofty goals, just starting each day asking God, 138 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: what do you have for me today and trust that 139 00:09:49,160 --> 00:09:52,560 Speaker 1: each new day is a gift from God, a day 140 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: filled with His mercy and love. Let's pray together. Lord, 141 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 1: thank you for the promise of new beginnings. Help us 142 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:03,840 Speaker 1: to let go of the past and step boldly into 143 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: the future you have planned, knowing that your will is 144 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 1: good and perfect and pleasing for each one of us. 145 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 1: May we embrace your truth over our shame, and may 146 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:26,040 Speaker 1: your mercies renew us each morning in Jesus' name. Amen, Friends, 147 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:27,679 Speaker 1: thank you for spending this time with me on your 148 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:31,079 Speaker 1: hope filled perspective. If today's episode has touched your heart, 149 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:33,400 Speaker 1: please consider sharing it with a friend who needs a 150 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:36,000 Speaker 1: fresh start this new year. I'd love to hear your 151 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:38,959 Speaker 1: stories about how God is renewing your life, so feel 152 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: free to reach out on social media or through my website. 153 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,319 Speaker 1: Remember that no matter what your past looks like, God's 154 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:50,680 Speaker 1: redemption is greater and he is always faithful. Wishing you 155 00:10:51,280 --> 00:10:56,200 Speaker 1: a blessed and hopeful new year. Until next time, keep 156 00:10:56,280 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: stepping into the light of God's love happiness year, until 157 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 1: we meet again. My prayer for you is that you 158 00:11:04,600 --> 00:11:06,880 Speaker 1: have a hope filled week. 159 00:11:08,640 --> 00:11:12,319 Speaker 2: Thank you for joining doctor bankson to your hope build perspective. 160 00:11:12,840 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 2: We hope you were encouraged by her authenticity, vulnerability, and 161 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 2: biblical truths. If you enjoy today's conversation, When you take 162 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 2: a moment right now, open up your podcast app and 163 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:26,960 Speaker 2: look for the subscribe button right next to our podcast 164 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:30,760 Speaker 2: profile image. We think this podcast is best enjoyed with friends, 165 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:33,559 Speaker 2: so tell a friend and click share in your podcast 166 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,320 Speaker 2: app and send a friend or link to share Hope 167 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:39,560 Speaker 2: with them. If you have a comment, question, or suggest 168 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,040 Speaker 2: a topic for a future show, reach out to our 169 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:46,559 Speaker 2: staff at info at Hope Prevails dot org for additional resources. 170 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 2: Information about doctor Bankson's books where free downloads, or to 171 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:54,160 Speaker 2: contact her to speak at your next event, Please visit 172 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:58,280 Speaker 2: doctor Michelbe dot com. Until next time, May you have 173 00:11:58,360 --> 00:11:59,959 Speaker 2: a hope filled week. 174 00:12:03,040 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 1: I'd like to take just a second to thank the 175 00:12:05,480 --> 00:12:08,439 Speaker 1: team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on 176 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 1: this podcast. If you go to lifeaudio dot com, you'll 177 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 1: find dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. 178 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: They've got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more.