Micca Campbell

Helping Women Fear Less and Live More

Turning Your Past into Your Purpose

Aug 11

We all want our life to matter, to make a difference, and to count for something. Yet it seems our past can get in the way. This may be a concern for you, but it isn’t for God.

Sally, the mother of Melany whom you read about in today’s Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion, was called a saint because of her devotion to Jesus and her local church. Whenever there was a need, Sally appeared with a casserole in hand, a prayer in her heart, and a word of encouragement on her lips.

Things changed though when her daughter, Melany, became pregnant outside of marriage. Sally stopped ministering. She no longer felt qualified to serve Jesus and others because of her daughter’s wrong choices.

Soon Sally became discouraged and depressed. Unable to contribute to her community, Sally lost her joy and passion for life. The woman who used to lend a helping hand to those in need, could no longer help herself.

One day, a dear friend came to visit Sally. She was curious as to why Sally stopped participating at church.

“Our family is marked by sin.” Sally confessed with sadness and shame in her voice.

“How can I continue to serve God when I’ve failed Him?”

Many parents take on the sins of their children as if they’re guilty too. We forget our children have a will all their own. What they choose to do with their lives is their choice, not ours.

Their sin isn’t our sin.

When Sally’s friend reassured her of this truth, the countenance on Sally’s face changed. New hope emerged within her heart, and Sally began looking for ways to turn her past into a purpose.

Before long, Sally began donating her time to speaking at high schools about teen pregnancy while ministering to girls who had already found themselves in that condition. Sally not only found new purpose, but she regained her joy as well.

Like Sally, many see themselves outside the scope of God’s grace because of their own sin or because of the sin of someone close. Perhaps that describes you today? The Bible encourages us,

“Where sin increased, grace increases all the more!” (Romans 5:20)

 Regardless of how deep in sin we’ve sunk, God’s grace and forgiveness is deeper still.

When we allow God to redeem our past, He can transform it into a beautiful future. He can take the wastelands of our lives and turn them into springs of living water– just as He did for Melany.

God’s words for you today are the same as those He spoke through Isaiah long ago.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19).

God is not limited by your past, my friend. He is doing a new thing in your life right now!

Can you see it?

Do you believe it?

Oh, how He longs to use your story to help others know Him and His life-changing grace. Will you trust Him?

 

If you need prayer today over something in your past, or to trust God with your future, I’m happy to pray for you. Just write “pray for me” in the comment section and know that you’ve been lifted up today. May God’s glorious grace shine on you today!

Leave a Comment | 138 Comments

Comments

  1. Please pray for me. I have lost my joy and can’t seem to know my purpose anymore. I feel tired and lost and overwhelmed. I want to do my best for God because I love him.

    Reply

    • Thank You For This Encouragement, I’ve Made Terrible Mistakes in My Past, I’m a Born Again Believer but Struggle With My Past Mistakes, I Married Someone Outside the Wil Of God, Unequally Yoked, Went
      Through So Much Trouble and Compromised My Relationship With Christ to be With this Person, I Lost My Job in February and just Filed for Divorce, I’m Seeking The Lord Again and My Desire for Him is Growing, But Mu Testimony and Witness is Gone, Going back to My First Love Jesus.Please Pray For Me, Thank You.

      Reply

      • Please pray that I can release the anxiety and fear I’m trying to hand over to God. Your words were so encouraging and I know in my heart they are true but my mind refuses to stop the incessant chatter. I want more than anything to release it 100% over to God and rest in his comfort.

        Reply

    • Please lift me up in prayer today. I’ve allowed anxiety and fear to completely consume me this past week. I’ve dealt with anxiety for years off and on and need God’s complete healing. Thank you for sharing your blog! I so needed this. Thank you so much for lifting me in prayer today!

      Reply

  2. Thank you so much for this post today. It came at the right time. I woke up this morning thinking of stupid choices and mistakes that I have made that keep haunting me even though I have confessed to God and repented. Then I began my devotions and read your encouraging post. Please pray for me that God will heal my memory that I can forget and not dwell on the past but embrace the new things that He wants to do in my life.

    Reply

    • Thanks for this message.I have been struggling with things in my life that seemed abnormal and have constantly questioned God about it.Your word today serves to remind me that God is in control of my life- I just need to yield for His divine purpose to be accomplished in my life.

      Reply

  5. Please pray for me. It seem as I cant get pass my Past
    Things that I have gone through 1 year 10 years keep reoccurring in my life again! And I dont understand.

    Reply

    • God is for you, Linda. I’m praying God will make His abiding Presence known to you today. May no weapon of the enemy succeed, and for God to carry you through the storm.

      Reply

  15. Pray for me. I am like Sally was with a son rather than a daughter though. I feel at times like I have failed and that God is disappointed in me. I feel ashamed at times and even embarrassed because of the circumstances. I never thought my son would have a child out of wedlock. I have a beautiful little granddaughter and my son is engaged but it is just not the order I wanted things in. Pray that I can move passed these feelings and that I can find peace and joy.

    Reply

  22. Currently between specialist appointments, waiting for a diagnosis & treatment plan, looking for those streams in the desert…thank you!

    Reply

  29. What a beautiful story of God’s Grace and love. I know I myself have felt a “failure” as a Christian mother because of choices my children have made. But I keep praying for them to come back to the Lord, one of them has but I hardly ever hear from him. I am currently living with my youngest son and his wife, after my 2nd marriage failed. It hasn’t been easy but God is Faithful even when I am faithless. He is the only one I know that is always there and He loves us no matter what.

    Reply

    • A-men. I’ve joined you today in praying for the salvation of your children and healing of your wounds, Babette.

      Reply

  40. I have a very sinful past I can’t get beyond. I was saved and then went into the worldly life and did awful things. I have insomnia never able to fall asleep with a special drug. My daughter and sonnlaw were not treating their baby well and he lived with us half the time. Then when she got mad she took him and disappeared. She got involved in witch craft some years back. so I am not just heart broke about my family gone wondering what is happening. He is not getting JESUS that he got here everyday and going to Sunday School and church. I feel I have lost my joy and that I am paying for what I have done.

    Reply

    • Nancy, may God restore the joy of your salvation, protect your grandson, save your daughter and son-in-law, and restore all relationships.

      Reply

  45. Please pray for me. Having a very hard time healing from grief of miscarriage and knowing I’m too old to have any more children. I need prayer to let the dream of another child go. Lord, please help me want you more than anything.

    Reply

    • Jennifer, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve asked God to blanket you with His comfort and put new hope into your heart.

      Reply

  49. Please pray for me and my family as we move to a new part of the country and that my children would return to the Lord. Thank you so very much.

    Reply

    • I know you don’t know me, but I understand how you feel. I also feel lost and sometimes feel like I don’t have a future. I’ve made some decisions that haven’t been the best for me nor my family and I feel like I have failed God and my family.
      Although, I feel this way I have to remember that God does have a plan for my life and even when I feel lost and have no idea how things will work out, He is there making a way for me.
      I want you to know God sees exactly where you are and He does have a plan for you because you ARE worth finding. The thing is you’re not lost to Him, He is with you right where you are.
      So, please remember Revelation 21:5, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” (NIV)
      He can turn your life around and make everything new.
      Write down this verse and put it to memory when you start thinking thoughts of unworthiness, recite it, but truly believe in your heart that God will make everything new.
      God bless you and I will be praying for you Allison! Don’t forget God loves you so much and ONLY wants the best for you.

      Reply

  60. I wake up frequently in the night or wake up first thing in the morning remembering my poor parenting in my kids teen years, my sin and our fractured relationships. That happened again today but right away I got the encourageing words from you…… thanks you so much!!! It made my day!!
    Bonnie

    Reply

  65. Thank you for your message; it put words to what I am feeling.
    It also brought encouragement and remindered me of how good and merciful our God is, and to remember God’s promise and not my past!!
    Pray for me.

    Reply

  66. Please pray for me, my husband, and daughter. My daughter is not living for Jesus and our relationship is broken. Please pray for reconciliation. Thanks.

    Reply

  68. Please pray for my children’s futures — pray that they will forget past mistakes by learning from them and trust and lean on God’s wisdom and plan for their lives. Help me as a mother to let go of the fear and anxiety related to their safety and future and trust in God’s will and plans for them.

    Reply

  74. Please pray for me to not look back at my past mistakes and that my son will let go of his parents past mistakes

    Reply

  78. Please pray for me and my daughter, her former boyfriend, and his family. We are asking for transformation and restoration in the future.

    Reply

  79. Micca, as I sit here with tears streaming down my face, I am asking you to please pray for me. I have lost my joy during a very difficult time of my life. After 32 years of marriage, my husband has left me for another woman. Was it something I’ve done that has made him, “miserable for a long time”? I am dealing with so many difficult emotions right now. Thank you for offering your sweet prayers to the Ome that is making all things new every day!

    Reply

    • melanie, I’m so sorry for your pain. Know that God is right there with you. He knows. He sees. And He longs to comfort you. Rest in Him, my friend. I’m praying for you.

      Reply

  80. Please pray for me. I need prayer over my past, as well as my husband’s past, separately & together. I not only struggle with fully getting over & letting go certain sins of my past, but of his, too. I know he definitely hasn’t fully gotten over or been able to let go & move forward (only) from my sins of the past. However, I am not sure whether he struggles internally with his own sins from the past. Thank you for your prayers!

    Reply

    • When we repent, God is faithful to forgive and give you a new beginning. Don’t let another minute go by living in the past. God has taken care of it. Now, enjoy your freedom and new life together. I have prayed for you both.

      Reply

  81. Please pray for me, my son, and my abusive husband…to not only trust in Him for the new path ahead, but also have the courage to walk it.

    Reply

  82. Pray for me, please. For guidance and strength in my business and healing and restoration of my past. Pray that my eyes, hears and heart are open to Him. And that I have the courage and boldness to be obedient to His direction. Thank you! ♡

    Reply

    • God can restore your past and heal your hurts. God hears your prayers for open heart toward Him, courage and boldness. He is your Helper!

      Reply

  83. Powerful!!! Just what I needed today. I’m always hashing out my past and wrong decisions. Taking the wrong path.
    Today’s reading just hit me and with that I will start my day over again with God in my heart and mind. I shall have a better day. Thank you

    Reply

  84. Thank you for your encouraging message. It was a good and timely reminder of a truth God has brought to my attention for many years. Though I can see God’s handiwork in my life, I still stumble sometimes over former things, especially when others bring them up, which takes my eyes off of the good God is doing.
    Please pray that I fix my eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), walk boldly in His power (2 Timothy 1:7), and have more clarity of purpose in my life (Isaiah 42:9, Jeremiah 29:11). Thanks so much!

    Reply

  85. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME! 🙏🏻 I am coming to and beautiful journey with my granddaughter. She starts to kindergarten this month where did time go? I have been praying that God will help me find something to do and earn a salary. Please pray that God sends me the right thing to do. Thank you for praying for all. Be Blessed to each one! God’s Healing!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

    Reply

  87. Pray for me- for past wrong choices that I am living the consequences.
    I live in an abusive relationship-
    I have physical issues that limit my service in church. I feel useless to God.

    Reply

    • Annie, an abusive relationship is not what God wants for you. You deserve more and God has more for you. He has a plan for your life. You can serve God in so many ways… read a book to a child, dog sit for a friend, encourage others. The best thing to do when you feel useless is to make yourself useful! It will lighten your load and lift your spirits. I’m praying for you today.

      Reply

  92. The comments are many today, but I want you to know I’ve read everyone and have prayed for each of you. I trust God knows each circumstance, need, and heartache. He not only sees, but He cares so much so that He gave us His only Son as ransom for our sin. God’s wonderful gift of salvation, forgiveness, and sweet fellowship with Him is what sustains us in this messy world. Part of that relationship is leaning on God’s power when we are weak and trusting Him to help us overcome our past and believe Him for a new and bright future. Blessings to each of you, Micca

    Reply

  94. Please pray for me. I am a single lady here and have been interested in a guy who is a non believer lately. However, I do not think anything is going to happen but I have been caught up in the idea of him and thought he was interested in me. I just don’t like the confusion and ultimately want to be with someone who is strong in the Lord. I want to put God first in my life and want him in the center of my relationships. I know that I am loved and uniquely made however, it is very easy to get carried away and want to be wanted and given attention to from a guy. I just need prayer to continue to keep my hear guarded and focused on Jesus so I do not move backwards.

    Reply

  97. THANK YOU!!! Needed reminded of, “I AM doing a new thing!” Pray for me as I commit to God’s ways/plan after a 36 year marriage/ministry ended (“don’t l👀k back!”).

    Reply

  100. Please pray for me!
    Recently got married to the father of my son. We’ve known each other for almost 9 years and have grown together throughout the years. I battled if I was making the right decision before we got married and I’m still having those feelings. It hard for me to enjoy or be excited about this new chapter in my life because I’m not sure if it was what God wanted or in God’s timing.
    I’m praying that even if this wasn’t God’s will or timing, that He will turn everything around for our good.
    Also, before the marriage I made some decisions that weren’t the best for me nor my family. I’m trying to move forward, but I’ve been stuck in this place of feeling guilty and a failure. This has led to extremely bad thoughts and sometimes feelings of wanting to give up on everything.
    I’m to a point where I’m tired of making the wrong decisions and I just want the best life God has for me and my family.
    I’ve learned that His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours. He always knows what’s best for us; even when we don’t understand.
    God bless you and thank you so much for this post. It came at the most perfect time for me.

    Reply

  101. Please pray for me! I share a home with son, he’s planning to move in with his girlfriend in a few months. I will have to move as well, I can’t afford the home I now live in alone nor afford to move. I don’t want to condone my son’s choice by living with he and his girlfriend. I need God to make a way and give me clear direction.

    Reply

  102. Please pray for me. My past haunts me almost daily. I am a Christian, I believe very strongly in my Jesus, but I just can’t seem to let go of my past transgressions. I have been divorced twice. I have one daughter and God blessed us with a granddaughter. My daughter was told she would never be able to get pregnant. God is a wonderful God. I pray about getting my past out of my mind, but I, for some reason, just can’t seem to let it go. Please, please pray about this for me. Thank you, God Bless You.

    Reply

  103. Please pray for my husband and I. We have had a tough year including a heart attack and bowel resection for my otherwise healthy husband. I have also suffered from depression and now Chronic Anxiety Disorder. We are experiencing some financial difficulties. I am looking to God. I know He is there but it still feels so hard. Thank you and God bless you.

    Reply

  106. Thank you, Micca! I know God wants better for me. It is a dark and cloudy morning here but I know God is already planning a better and brighter day. When things looked impossible and messy, God was sending his cleanup crew! He has been there in our darkest days. It may not seem it now or the future may seem like ” one thing after another” but it can also be be one miracle after another. Keep believing and asking.

    Reply

  107. Thank you for this Micca. I really needed it. I made a mistakes in the past and was badly betrayed, mentally and physically abused by a narcisstic sociopath. Most recently i found the most wonderful man whom i thought was “the one” and because of his past, he hurt me with his fear of commitment and kind of bolted when i talked about a future. Now I just cant let go no matter how I try because I am sitting here wondering what happened. everything was going so well and then he fled and now cut me off. I know I need to get along with my life but I feel heartbroken and my dreams have been shattered.

    Reply

  108. Please pray that God would remove from my heart the suspicions I have about my SO, or that He will reveal any truth I need. I need peace about this situation.

    Reply

  109. Please pray for me..asking for reassurance of joining new church, praying to find and build relationships in my new city, and praying for healing of my digestive disorder. Praying that we will some day be able to follow God’s command to love one another. Amen!
    And Thank you

    Reply

  111. I Love this verse- about God making new ways in the wilderness. It gives such great hope and reminder that God can deal with things that seem impossible.
    Please pray for me too- this verse is relevant to the hopes of “new springs” in my personal life and things at work.
    Thank you for encouraging us today 🙂

    Reply

  113. Thank you for this encouraging post. I have been haunted by sinful choices of my past and want to live in the light of God’s grace, but always feeling hopeless. Thank you!

    Reply

  115. As I am just reading this On Dec 4, months later, God has used this post to speak to my heart. As most Christians, I too have a past mistake that happened 3 years ago. Satan seems to keep reminding me of it. Please pray for me that I will overcome and victory will be mine. Greater is He that is in me. Thank you for sharing

    Reply

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