You’re Not Starting Over — You’re Stepping Forward - Encouragement for Today - October 1, 2025
You’re Not Starting Over — You’re Stepping Forward
TRACIE MILES
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“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 (ESV)
Years ago, I sat back and looked at my life, and it was … different. New. Unfamiliar. Even my next steps, not to speak of the distant future, felt unknown.
When life takes a turn, there are moments when the future feels like a blank canvas — but not the exciting kind. Instead, it looks more like an intimidating void. Maybe you’ve found yourself in one of those seasons, facing an empty nest, a painful divorce, a sudden loss, a career change, or simply the quiet ache of midlife.
Maybe your life took an unexpected turn years ago, and you never quite found your footing again. You've longed to move forward, to do something new, to embrace a dream God has placed in your heart — but fear whispers louder than faith.
Is it too late? Do I still have what it takes? What if I try and fail?
Friend, you’re not alone. But here’s what I have found to be true: You are not starting over. You are stepping forward into a new chapter, and God is already there, ready to meet you with grace, strength, and purpose.
Psalm 138:8 offers this powerful reminder: “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”
God’s purpose for our lives isn’t something we can miss, lose, or age out of. His purpose will be fulfilled because it’s not dependent on our flawless track record or perfect circumstances — it’s grounded in His steadfast love, which never changes. The love that carried you through past seasons will carry you into the next.
After all, you’ve been gathering wisdom, experiences, resilience, and faith all along. What you’ve been through has shaped you, and it is usable by God.
You’re not discarding your past. You’re bringing everything God has taught you. You’re moving forward with history, with growth, and most importantly with Him.
You are “the work of [God’s] hands” (Psalm 138:8), not forgotten or overlooked. You’re deeply loved and intentionally crafted. If God has placed a longing in your heart — to write, to create, to lead, to serve, to heal, to learn, to go — then that dream is part of His workmanship in you. And He will not forsake it.
So take the next brave step. Not because you have it all figured out but because the God who formed you and holds your future will fulfill His purpose for your life.
You’re not starting over. You’re stepping forward — with Him.
Father, thank You for never giving up on me. Help me take the next step in faith, trusting You to fulfill every purpose You’ve placed in my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Even a sliver of God’s light is enough to illuminate the dark path in front of you. That’s the heartbeat behind our newest devotional, Let In the Light: 50 Devotions to Confidently Know God Is Good and Guiding Your Steps. Each day will help you find truth for the moments when your thoughts spiral, your season feels unsure, or you just need to be reminded that the Lord’s light is still surrounding you. The Encouragement for Today devotion you read today is only a taste of how special this book is, so preorder your copy now!
ENGAGE
For more encouragement, check out Tracie’s book God’s Got You: Embracing New Beginnings with Courage and Confidence on her website. You can also connect with her on Instagram for ongoing encouragement.
If you feel God has been calling you to write a book, consider joining Tracie at AuthorRise, a group coaching experience beginning October 27, 2025, designed to equip aspiring Christian writers with the training, tools, and confidence they need to write well, publish wisely, and also monetize their message in a way that honors their calling. Click here for more info!
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Proverbs 16:9, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (NLT).
Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (NLT).
What has God been nudging your heart to do lately that you’ve been pushing aside? What steps can you take today to begin trusting in God’s calling and pursue His purpose for your life with courage?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.
