Biblical Answer

Making a new start can be a daunting task, but I believe it begins with acknowledging the life we have right now. It's easy to get caught up in wishing we had a different life or planning for the future, but God works in the present moment. As my wife Susan always says, "God has yet to bless anyone except where they actually are." This means we need to focus on where we are, not where we wish we were.

When I was trying to get started with my own personal growth, I found it helpful to start small. I wouldn't try to tackle everything at once, but instead, focus on tiny habits that I could easily incorporate into my daily routine. For example, instead of trying to pray for an hour, I started with just ten or fifteen minutes. I'd pray a psalm, take a short walk, or simply breathe deeply. It's amazing how these small steps can add up over time.

I think the key to making a new start is to take the initiative and stop hesitating. When God speaks to us, we need to act immediately, without reconsidering or changing our minds. It's easy to get caught up in fear or doubt, but if we're truly seeking to follow God's plan, we need to be willing to take the first step, even if it's scary. As my pastor (and I'm a pastor too, by the way) always says, "Faith is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to act in spite of it."