Have you ever felt that there was something holding you back, keeping you from accomplishing what God has placed in your heart? If I’m being completely honest, this is how I’ve felt as circumstances have overwhelmed me and left me frustrated by the lack of progress. Yet God reminds me that 2026 is the year of the fix. God is fixing our attention, affection, and alignment to accomplish the assignment. God is adjusting our posture and position in Him.
In Jeremiah 29:4 (NKJV), we read, “Thus says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, to ALL who were carried away captive!” I want to ask you, what has carried you away captive? Infringing thoughts? Past failures? Trauma? Loss? Diagnosis? We have all faced a type and level of these, which is not a criticism but an indication that you are alive and live in this world. However, how we respond determines the outcome.
Jesus is in the temple preaching and reads from Isaiah 61, which says, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn…” What I want you to see is God
doesn’t just talk about setting the captive free; He also opens the door to make a way out, a way of escape! Why? Because there is more to life than surviving the unexpected event; God desires fulfillment of the destiny He placed on you. We are not to be held captive by our past but rather reign in the liberty given in Christ.
Life happens to us all, but we are not to be defined, categorized, or marginalized by these events; rather, we are defined by the testimony of God’s goodness and His faithfulness to always be present and a help in time of need.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” One translation says, “to give you an expected end.” God wants you to know, “This is how it’s going to end!” The enemy does not get to write the last chapter of your life.
I want to give you three ways to write your next chapter.
First, shake it off! I hate to admit it, but Taylor Swift was on to something when she said, “It’s gonna be alright, and I’m just gonna shake it off, shake it off!”
You may not be a Swiftie, but the truth is this is biblical. Isaiah 61:3 continues to say, “…put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” It’s the exchange of the negative for the position of praise.
I’ve noticed that when I’ve entered His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, I can’t complain. Finding fault or being disturbed with a moment only drags you down, but when you say, “Lord, thank you for all you have done and the life you have given me!” the weight of the situation falls to the floor, and your perspective is raised while hope is resurrected and given new life.
Second, forget about it! This one can be tough but is crucial to your next chapter. Philippians 3:13 says, “…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” No one has ever moved forward while looking back. We must acknowledge the future God has for us and put that highlight reel on repeat.
Isaiah 43:18 (MSG), “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?” Most Christians don’t lose the fight of faith; they forfeit by simply not showing up. Don’t get stuck in the failures of the past, the hurts and results of yesterday; be alert and present for the expected end that God has for your story, your next chapter.
Last, take a step! I love this one; it makes me think of the movie, “What About Bob?” Bob has a multi‑phobic complex, severe separation anxiety, and obsessive‑compulsive disorder that keeps him confined to his apartment. His doctor, Marvin, tells him to read his breakthrough book Baby Steps. The book’s central idea is that you can overcome any condition by taking small, manageable steps toward your goal.
In Exodus 14:13-15, the recently delivered children of Israel are caught between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea. The people cry out to Moses, asking why he brought them to the wilderness to die. Listen to what God says in response in verse 15: “And the Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me?” Tell the children of Israel to move forward!”
God didn’t say run or walk; He just said, “Move forward!” A baby step may seem small, but it’s still a step forward into all God has for you. Remember the same God that began a good work in you will complete it! Philippians 1:6. Don’t stop moving and taking ground for the kingdom of God no matter what. Take a breath if you need to, but don’t ever give up; we need you, and God has more for you to accomplish.