I think one of the greatest lies we can believe is, “It’s too late!” At some point in our lives, we all feel like we’ve missed our chance or messed up an important opportunity. We can even be tempted to believe that we’ve disqualified ourselves from having a great future…that our best days are behind us.
If this is you—if you feel like you’ve missed your chance or like your opportunity to have a great life has passed you by—I want you to know something today: With God on your side, it’s never too late.
While God Himself never changes, He is a God of change—He is always doing a new thing and working behind the scenes in our lives to bring about new beginnings. Where we see failure, God sees potential for something new. The minute we stumble and come apart, God is already planning our comeback. When we mess up “Plan A,” we don’t have to worry—God has a “Plan B”!
I love Isaiah 43:19 (NIV). In this verse, God says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Take a moment to really let those words sink in and think about this: If it really wasn’t “too late,” what are some things you would do? Would you go back to school to earn your degree? Would you reconcile with an old friend or attempt to make up for past mistakes? Would you follow your passion in life—something you’re naturally gifted at doing—and try to fulfill your goals and dreams?
Whatever it may be, God wants you to know that it’s never too late to begin again and have a great life. He is on your side and, if need be, He can even “make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
One of the greatest things we can do to cooperate with God’s plan for our lives is stay determined. I’ve learned that when you feel discouraged, when others doubt or criticize you, and when your dreams seem like they’re just never going to happen, that’s when you need to keep moving forward.
I’ll never forget, many years ago, when I first started talking about the call of God on my life. Some of my friends felt that I must be mistaken, and they actually told me, “Joyce, we really don’t think you have the right kind of personality to do this kind of ministry.” It was not very encouraging!
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But I knew what God had spoken to my heart, and I knew that I had a gift and a passion to teach His Word. So I kept moving forward. As a result, I lost some friends and was eventually asked to leave my church. Even some of my family members turned their backs on me.
Sure, it was difficult in the moment, but I cringe to think where I would be now if I had given up when I felt that rejection. I know I certainly wouldn’t be fulfilling God’s call on my life now…and I would be miserable because I wouldn’t be following my passion.
I can distinctly remember a particular season during those early years when the Lord continued to encourage me not to quit. There was one scripture in particular that He kept putting in front of me, and it continues to speak to me today:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”(Gal. 6:9 NIV).
Our enemy, Satan, wants us to quit and give up. The Bible says he is the “father of lies” (John 8:44). He continually lies to us and tells us things like, “Who do you think you are? That’s never going to happen! Do you really believe that God spoke to you? Do you really think you can do that?”
I believe we’re actually most tempted to quit when our breakthrough is right around the corner. But if we’ll just keep moving forward—if we’ll remain steadfast and refuse to give up—we will reach our goal and walk in God’s promises.
I’m not sure where you are today. I don’t know what disappointments or setbacks you’ve endured. But I do know this: It’s not over. God loves you, He sees you, and He has a plan to help you begin again. Because with God, it’s never too late. He’s the God of fresh starts, do-overs, new beginnings, and great finishes.
And with God on your side, it’s never too late!
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 150 books, including BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND and OVERCOMING EVERY PROBLEM (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life program, which is broadcast to millions in over 110 languages. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.
