Double For Your Trouble

My friends always tell me that I remember everyone and everything. I remember the random moments that we shared as kids. I remember the things that we did that were honorable and the ones that were not. Sometimes I remember things that I wish I had long sense forgot. You know the things that were once proud moments of defiant rebellion.

I used to be afraid to speak for God because of the people who might remember the time I cursed them out or treated them like they were beneath the dirt on the ground. I used to be afraid to say I love the Lord because I was afraid that someone would remember all the times I pretended like God was either dead or blind. I looked down on people for doing what was right. I repeatedly said I wanted nothing to do with being an evangelist. All of theses things happened despite the fact that I knew God was indeed alive. They happened even though I knew that He could see everything that I was and all the things that I thought I hid.

I was so afraid that all the things that I had once put before people would silence the life that I had decided to live for God. Would I have to walk around and hang my head in shame? Would some random thing that I did so long ago cause me to be completely humiliated?

"Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth." These words written in Isaiah 54:4 spoke to me. It was as if, the same God that I spent all that time hiding from had me in mind. "I will forget the shame of your youth." I will restore you to the person that I intended you to be is what He was saying to me.

These words spoke to me, but they were not just for me. Restoration is God's gift of replenishment. It is His way of showing us that nothing that we put before Him and nothing that has been taken away is greater than what He can continuously provide. God can choose to wipe a slate clean and place you back in the position that you once were. However, when He restores you, it is not just the natural position it is the spiritual as well. In that you receive a double blessing for the troubles of your past.


“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

Isaiah 54:4

Adayinthelife :-)