Biblical Answer

The Crisis of the Will: Can I Really Start Over When I've Lost Everything?

When faced with a crisis of losing everything, it's natural to wonder if we can truly start over. The Bible teaches that God is a God of new beginnings (Isaiah 43:18-19). He can take our brokenness and create something beautiful from it. However, this requires a willingness to surrender our past and our pride, and to trust in God's sovereignty. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).

The Bible also teaches that we are not defined by our past failures or successes. We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and our identity is rooted in our relationship with Him, not in our accomplishments or possessions. As the writer of Proverbs said, "Don't try to revive a dead dog or put new life into a dead donkey. Don't put yourself in a situation where you'll regret it" (Proverbs 26:17, NLT). Instead, we should focus on what God is doing in our lives, and trust that He will lead us into a brighter future.

The key to starting over is not to try to erase our past, but to learn from it and use it as a stepping stone to growth. As the psalmist wrote, "He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me" (Psalm 23:3-4). When we surrender our will to God and trust in His goodness, we can find the strength to start over, even in the midst of loss and uncertainty. As the Bible says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).