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?  ~ Isaiah 43:18-19 ~ 

God is inviting you to release the burdens of yesterday and embrace the promise of something new – a fresh beginning rooted in His love, grace, and mercy. 

Starting any journey often means facing the pain of our past, especially for those who grew up in dysfunction. The scars of those experiences may feel heavy. However, today, God offers a different path for you. Isaiah 43:18-19 urges us to forget the former things and let go of those hurts we’ve carried for so long. This is not about denying what we’ve been through – it’s about refusing to allow those past experiences define who we are today. 

God’s promise is quite clear: He is doing a new thing. For us, who are in Christ, seeking recovery; this is a lifeline of hope. No matter how broken your past may feel, God’s grace and mercy are at work, bringing renewal and restoration. As you begin this journey, trust that He is able to heal what’s been wounded and create something beautiful from what was once shattered. 

Take a moment today to write down one hope you have for your own healing and spiritual journey and growth. It may be finding peace in your heart, restoring a strained relationship, or growing closer to God and deepening your faith in Him. This simple act of putting pen to paper helps you name your personal desire and set an intention. Let this hope be your guiding light as you move forward. A gentle reminder that recovery is possible with God’s help. 

As you step into your own personal journey, know that you’re not walking this path alone. God is with you, offering His strength and love every step of the way. The promise of Isaiah 43:18-19 is yours to claim – a chance to leave behind the pain of dysfunction and step into a season of fresh and renewing faith. Hold fast to this truth, and let it fuel your faith and recovery. 

Lord, guide me as I start this path toward healing. Grant me the strength to release the past and the courage to embrace the new things you are doing in my life. Thank you for your grace and mercy, which makes this journey possible, in Jesus Name, Amen

Podcast Script: “Beginning the Journey: Embracing God’s New Thing”

Hey there, and welcome to today’s episode of Sacred Sobriety: A Path for the Soul! If you’re joining me today, maybe you’re feeling the weight of your past—those old wounds or heavy burdens—or maybe you’re just ready for a fresh start in your faith. Well, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re kicking off a journey together, one rooted in a powerful promise from Isaiah 43:18-19, where God says, “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?”

That’s a lifeline of hope, isn’t it? No matter what’s behind you, God is offering a new beginning—one filled with His love, grace, and mercy.

If you’re searching for healing from past trauma, spiritual growth, or ways to let go of yesterday, this episode is for you. We’re diving into how God invites us to release the pain of dysfunction and step into renewal. So, grab a comfy seat, maybe a cup of tea or a journal, and let’s start this journey together.

Let’s begin by letting God’s Word sink in. Isaiah 43:18-19 says:

“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?”

This is God speaking directly to us—especially those who’ve carried scars from a tough past, maybe from growing up in dysfunction or navigating brokenness. He’s saying, “I’ve got something new for you.” It’s not about erasing what happened but about refusing to let it define who you are today.

For many of us, starting a journey of healing means facing the pain we’ve buried. Those scars can feel heavy, right? But here’s the beautiful truth: God offers a different path. He’s doing a new thing—right now—and it’s springing up like a fresh stream in a dry place. Whether you’re seeking recovery, restoration, or just a deeper faith, this promise is yours to hold onto.

Take a second to breathe that in. What would it look like to let go of yesterday and trust God for something new? Maybe you’re already feeling a flicker of hope. That’s Him at work.

To bring this home, let me tell you about someone I’ll call Sarah. Sarah grew up in a home where chaos reigned dysfunction was just part of life. She carried that into adulthood, feeling unworthy, stuck in a cycle of replaying old hurts. Sound familiar? But one day, she read Isaiah 43:18-19, and it hit her like a wave of grace. God was offering her a fresh start.

It wasn’t instant. Sarah took steps—small ones at first. She started praying, joined a church group, even talked to a counselor. Over time, she began to see that new thing God was doing. Today, she’s not defined by her past but by God’s love. Her story reminds us that healing is possible, no matter how broken things feel.

Maybe you’re nodding along, thinking, “I want that too.” You can have it. God’s promise isn’t just for Sarah—it’s for you, right here, right now.

So, what does it mean to “forget the former things”? It’s not about pretending your past didn’t happen—God knows every tear you’ve cried. It’s about shifting your focus. Instead of dwelling on what was, you look to what God’s doing now. He’s at work, planting seeds of renewal. Can you perceive it? Maybe it’s subtle—a peace you haven’t felt in ages, a chance to mend a relationship, or a pull to trust Him more.

Here’s a key insight: Healing is a journey, not a sprint. It takes time, and that’s okay. God’s grace walks with you every step. Another insight: You’ve got a choice. You can stay stuck in the past, or you can lean into the new thing God’s offering. It’s not easy, but with Him, it’s doable.

Let’s weave in more of God’s Word to anchor this. Lamentations 3:22-23 says,

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Every day is a reset with God—His mercy doesn’t run out. And 2 Corinthians 5:17 adds,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

In Jesus, your past doesn’t get the final say—He does.

Have you ever felt trapped by your history? Like no matter what, those old wounds keep pulling you back? I get it. But God’s saying, “Let it go. I’ve got something better.” That’s the heart of this journey.

Now, let’s get practical with some takeaways and applications. These are steps you can take today to start embracing God’s new thing.

Takeaway #1: Name your hope. Take a moment today—seriously, grab a pen—and write down one hope you have for your healing and spiritual journey. Maybe it’s finding peace in your heart, restoring a strained relationship, or growing closer to God. Naming it sets an intention. Let that hope guide you forward like a light in the dark.

Takeaway #2: Release the past. Think about one hurt you’ve been holding onto. Pray, “Lord, I give this to You. Help me let it go.” If it helps, write it down and tear it up—let it be a symbol of surrender. God’s big enough to carry it for you.

Application #1: Start your day with mercy. Tomorrow morning, before the chaos hits, pray this: “Lord, thank You for Your new mercies today. Show me the new things You’re doing.” It’s a small shift that tunes your heart to His grace.

Application #2: Don’t go it alone. Healing thrives in community. Reach out to a friend, a mentor, or a group you trust. Share where you’re at. Sometimes saying it out loud breaks the power of the past.

As we close, here’s the truth to hold onto: You’re not walking this path alone. God’s with you, offering strength and love every step. Isaiah 43:18-19 is your promise—a chance to leave behind the pain of dysfunction and step into a season of fresh, renewing faith. Trust that He can heal what’s wounded and make something beautiful from what’s been shattered.

If this spoke to you, hit that subscribe button—we’ve got more encouragement coming your way. Drop a comment below: How’s this message hitting you? What’s one hope you’re naming today? And if you know someone who needs this hope, share this episode with them. Let’s spread the word about God’s new beginnings.

Let’s end with a prayer:

Lord, guide us as we start this path toward healing. Grant us strength to release the past and courage to embrace the new things You’re doing. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that make this journey possible. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thanks for being here. You’re not defined by yesterday—God’s doing a new thing in you. See you next time!