A lot of us need a new beginning, a second chance, a start over. We don't always do we get to start over with family or take back our mistakes, right?

When I first came to know Christ, I fell immediately in love with Him for one reason:  He gave me a second chance. I didn't think I had a second chance in life with certain bad choices I had made as a teenager.

I want to share with you about writing a new chapter in your life. I just published a book titled In Between Chapters. In 20 years of ministry and life, I have gone through different seasons. At the beginning, I condemned myself a lot because I thought, during the rougher seasons, it was all my fault. However, I learned that it's in those rough seasons God molds and shapes you.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven" (MEV). Our lives always go through different seasons.

Every season can help you fulfill the purpose God has for you; but only if you are open to trust God in the different seasons of your life.

Many of us have been through these seasons:

• God is dealing with you
• A change in your marriage
• Issues with your children
• Challenges in the ministry
• Learning to walk in faith
• Trusting God for something

Whatever it is, God is doing a work in you.

Here are six ideals to help write a new chapter in your life: 

1. What God has started in you He will complete. "I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6, MEV).

You can keep living in your past or your past unfruitful ministry experience.

You cannot change circumstances; however, you can change how you respond to those circumstances.

Choose today to trust God and allow Him to do that deep work He desires.

2. Don't be afraid of change. God will bring you to a crossroad where you have to change, especially in a position of ministry.

The hardest for any of us to do is to acknowledge our weakness. Allow others who are close to you to help you, keep you accountable and pray for you.

"We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28, MEV).

3. Be humble. "But He gives more grace. For this reason it says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'" (James 4:6, MEV).

We need God's grace to overcome things in our life, to grow closer to Him.

4. Get out of the pit. You have to make a choice of how you will come out of this dark season. You have to trust God even when it doesn't make sense or you don't understand. Don't abort the plan and purpose that God has for you, whatever season you are in, your faith is being tested. 

If you allow yourself to be vulnerable to the Lord and walk in humility, you will see a side of God you've never seen before. 

Wherever you are at in your life, don't fight what God is trying to do inside of you.

Always remember this: "The storm can be going on around you, but don't let the storm get inside of you!" 

There is an inner peace God can give you when everything around you seems to be falling apart or life is not working out the way you thought.

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"   (Phil. 4:7, MEV).

5. Don't let people or circumstances define who you are—only God can. Your identity comes from the Lord, not the ministry.

There are many things, good or bad, that you can learn from in every season you go through.

You cannot let the last season of your life define you, however you can experience defining moments within that season.

Start by thanking the Lord for the season you are in or coming out of and think of this new season as a new beginning! 

It's never too late to begin again even in ministry.

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lam. 3:22-23, MEV).

6. Write the new chapter—write the vision. "And the Lord answered me: Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who reads it may run" (Hab. 2:2, MEV).

This is your time to begin again, write a vision for your life and set some goals. Read and listen to materials that will bring healing, empower you and give you vision. It's never too late for you and the purpose that God has for you.

There is a purpose for every season in your life, seek Him and don't relent until you are clear on what He has for you. 

Along with her husband, Pastor Luis Reyes, Tricia Reyes is the co-founder of The New Church Of Joy in Waukegan, Illinois. She is a blogger, author and helps manage her daughter Madison's (Maddie Rey) Music Ministry. She is a devoted wife and mother to Madison and Matthew and loves the Lord with all her heart! To learn more about Tricia's ministry or to book her for a Women's Event/Conference visit her website at triciareyes.com or thenewchurchofjoy.com.

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