Saved by His Grace

Today’s post hits home on an area that I myself have been struggling with, and I know that I’m not alone. What do you do when you are struggling to trust in the Lord to restore the lost years of your life?

By lost years, I mean the years the enemy stole, the years spent deep in sin and brokenness. The years where you were lost in the world and had a dream, but through your bondage to sin, you went about it the wrong way and instead found yourself in the rubble of a broken heart or a broken life.

Recently, during a prayer and fellowship call, the prayer point of restoring the lost years was brought up. The prayer point was, “Restore the lost years, by God’s mercy, let the power of restoration bring back everything the enemy stole from me twofold.”

As soon as it was spoken, my heart leapt in my chest and tears started rolling down my cheeks. “Yes, Lord, please restore the lost years,” I prayed silently. “Please, Lord,” I said as tears streamed down my face and I got choked up.

Joel 2:25-26 (KJV) says, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.”

Now, this scripture was originally spoken to the ancient Israelites when the prophet Joel was urging them to turn back to the Lord in repentance after the Lord had sent a swarm of locusts to punish Israel for turning from Him. This devastating swarm ruined their crops and economy for years.

However, this is still a divine promise of recovery and renewal, and a reversal of shame, hardship and trials, a promise that is echoed throughout Scripture.

For some of us, we may be losing hope at a second chance at love. For others, we may be losing hope at seeing a dream career come to fruition. Then, for others, we may simply feel lost, wondering when we will be fully free of a stronghold that has kept us in bondage for years.

I know far too well how it feels to wonder about being given a second chance at a dream once lost. I know I must seek first the kingdom and the rest will be follow, if it be the Lord’s will, but I know too well the struggle with fleshly desires and emotions.

I know I’m not alone in this: the realization that Jesus is coming back really soon plays a big role in the disconnect between fleshly desires and spiritual needs. I know heaven is greater, but I haven’t arrived at the point where I have died a lot more to the flesh and stopped clinging to worldly desires.

The flesh part of me still yearns to see certain things be fulfilled before Jesus comes back, and I get scared knowing that time is running out. I know this is the wrong mindset to have, but it is part of my weakness that needs to be surrendered to the Lord. Despite this, I know that it’s not wise to force anything outside of the Father’s will.

My mindset lately has been, “Lord, if it’s Your will, please let it be done. I know You promise to restore the years that the canker worm stole, whether on this side of heaven or in eternity.” But, I still stumble often and acknowledge that my faith hasn’t been strong enough in the waiting season, and I have been losing patience.

So, I strive to admit my brokenness before the Lord, “I’m so sorry, Lord, I want to believe You have better for me, but I just don’t see it yet. I’m scared that I won’t see it before You come back.”

Another thing I’ve realized is sometimes the lost years aren’t restored for a time because we aren’t healed enough to be fully ready for what we’ve been pleading to the Lord for.

Have you allowed the Lord to heal all the wounds and trauma? Trust me, it’s a process, and it’s our flesh that wants to rush it, but it’s not what our spirit needs nor what the Lord wills. He doesn’t want to see us in pain because we weren’t ready.

Another Scripture I cling to to remind myself that the Lord’s way is better, to stop dwelling on the past, and to trust that He will restore the lost years is Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV). It reads, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

I don’t have all the answers, but I can tell you what I preached to myself recently to encourage myself.

Luke 12:31 reads, “But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” This is where Jesus is telling his disciples to not worry, to not have an anxious mind about how certain needs will be met, like food or clothing.

These are some key takeaways for me from that verse alone, and how it relates to struggling with sadness over the lost years:

1. Stop worrying about what you do not have (yet, if it be the Lord’s will). Trust that He will provide, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32b)
2. Remember ALL of the times you had an anxious mind and doubted, BUT God! But He came through and provided for you.
3. Stop worshipping at the altars of anxiety and doubt! Turn worries into gratitude for what you do have and find solace in His promises.

-He will restore the lost years. (Joel 2:25)

-He will turn your weeping into joy. (Psalm 30:5)

-He will heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds. (Psalm 147:3)

-He will free you from your bondage. (Isaiah 61:1)

-He will give you peace of mind that surpasses all understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

-He will be your Advocate when you fall. (1 John 2:1)

All that to say, don’t lose hope. As a close sister in Christ encouraged me recently, never give up and never turn back or away. The Lord will always give you grace. He knows we are of flesh and that we all struggle. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Oftentimes, the best thing we can do is just worship and pray. Worship through the pain, pray without ceasing through the seasons where you are unsure of His plans. Read the Word continually to renew your mind and loosen chains of the old man and remind yourself of His promises, which will never fail.

Until next time, Lord willing, shalom to my brothers and sisters in Christ. May you have a blessed rest of your week and a restful weekend.