A new chapter in your life begins now

Late one afternoon, the snow was falling gently outside, and the temperature hovered at about 20 degrees. My friend’s adorable, 1-year-old daughter was seated comfortably on my friend’s lap in front of the piano in their living room.

Situated close to the warm glow of the newly lit fire in the fireplace, the musically inclined little girl sat there happily and selfassuredly. She had her shoulders back, and her tiny fingers were pressing on the piano keys.

The sound reverberated through their house. In the middle of her melody, the smiling girl reached up to the piano playbook before her. She lifted her eyes, turned the page and resumed playing.

At many points in life, there could be one challenge or trial, followed by another. And after all-toomany difficulties and disappointments, you might become passive and sit back, discouraged and feeling inadequate. Over time, you may just retire from really living as you say to yourself, “What’s the use? There is nothing good in my future,” and “I have reached my limit.”

But it is a new day. And God wants to give you a fresh start. And so, as the little girl did:

▶ Turn the page and forget the mistakes, setbacks and the regrets from the past.

▶ Turn the page and cease replaying in your mind the unfair situations.

▶ Turn the page and break out of the rut of mediocrity. ▶ Turn the page and start reaching again for your God-inspired goals.

▶ Turn the page and look to the future with hope.

Your day of victory is on its way, for God is getting ready to open up a whole new chapter in your life that will be filled with His abundant blessings.

Recently, I read in the Bible where God told Joshua, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them — the children of Israel.” ( Joshua 1:2)

After losing Moses, Joshua could have felt as though his life were finished. His circumstances seemed insurmountable. Joshua may have been intimidated, fearful and worried about the days ahead.

Yet, Joshua still had important work to accomplish. Then, God said to him, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ( Joshua 1:5)

So, with obedience and steadfast faith, Joshua turned the page on the worries, fears and sorrows. And with strength and courage, Joshua allowed God to lead him forward.

God gave Joshua a fresh start and opened up an entire new chapter in his life that was filled with success and prosperity. ( Joshua 1:8)

As God was with Joshua, so He is with you. God has not brought you as far as this to leave you here. So, “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ( Joshua 1:9)

For the holidays I received some motivational books. During a quiet moment at home, I picked up one of the books from the coffee table and began to read the story of “My Pillow” founder Mike Lindell.

Early on in the narrative, there were questions as to what would occur in the story. However, with each turn of the page as I read further, with steadfast faith and perseverance everything eventually came together in his life.

In the same way, your story is far from over. Maybe you’ve been down for a time, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. Get back up and try again. If one plan didn’t work out, dream another dream.

If you had a setback, start working on your comeback. Before he was successful, Thomas Edison failed more than 1,000 times in an attempt to invent a light bulb. He later wrote, “When everyone else is giving up on a problem that is the time to begin.”

You’re capable of so much. Don’t be discouraged and build a case against yourself with negative thoughts and words. Stop saying, “I can’t” and “I’m not able to succeed,” and start repeating “With God, I can do all things,” and “My next days will be my best days.”

Then, dare to reach higher. There are hundreds of possibilities before you, for you have something extraordinary and invaluable to offer to others.

A short time ago, a reader sent me an encouraging poem by an unknown author that I’d like to pass on to you:

“I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad, or to cry;

I refuse to be downhearted, and here’s the reason why . .

I have a God who’s mighty, who’s sovereign and supreme;

I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team. My God knows all that’s happening; beginning to the end,

His presence is my comfort, He is my dearest friend. When circumstances threaten to rob me from my peace; He draws me close unto

His breast,

where all my strivings cease.

The great me my life is in His hand,

The Son of the Lord is my hope, it’s in His strength I stand. I refuse to be defeated, my eyes are on my God; ‘I AM’ is with

He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod. I’m looking past all my circumstances, to Heaven’s throne above; my prayers have reached the heart of God,

I’m resting in His love. I give God thanks in everything, my eyes are on His face; the battle’s His, the victory’s mine;

He’ll help me win the race.”

Today is a new beginning. It’s a brand-new chapter in your life that will be overflowing with meaning, contentment and happiness. New friendships, new opportunities and new joys are waiting in your future.

The best is yet to be.

And you will live the purposeful life that God has planned for you.

Email Catherine Galasso-Vigorito at cgv@anewyouworldwide.com. To order a copy of her new book, “The Open Window, 8 Weeks to Creating an Extraordinary Life,” visit www.anewyouworldwide.com or bookstores nationwide. Follow Catherine on Instagram @Catherinegalassovigorito.