Resetting

Today we are talking about resetting.

It’s not about quitting or failing; it’s about beginning again and trying something new.

Life actually requires us to reset often. We sleep every night to reset our bodies. Our schedules, expectations, attitudes, and priorities all need the same from time to time.

God is the God of fresh starts.

We have this one computer here at the office, and I hate restarting it. It’s a super old computer, and when we restart it, it takes 15 minutes to completely get going again so we can use it without anything loading in the background.

We know this won’t fix the computer, but every now and then it gives us hope because it runs a little faster.

Have you ever paid off a bill? There is a weight lifted off of us no matter the size of that monthly payment because it helps us feel positive. Little by little, a change has been made. And when we have to reset ourselves and our thinking over and over again, it can bring positive restoration into our lives.

I’m all about taking time to reset and rest.

How refreshing is it that when we wake up every morning, we know that God has reset His mercies for us?

Lamentations 3:22–23 says, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

Wow! Friends, think about that… every day, new mercies. Listen, I struggle to give myself grace and mercy every day, and God says, “Op, it’s a new day — let’s start over with fresh mercies.” Okay, God, thank You for loving me this much.

Resetting with God is rooted in grace, not guilt.

If I had an actual reset button, I think I would push it so often. It’s like the movie Groundhog Day, where the guy wakes up every day and it’s the same day over and over, and he can try new things. I think that would be a bit much, but give me a big button to push when needed and I’m in.

Buttons are fun.

Sometimes we need a little redirection, and resetting where we are and what we are doing can help with that.

Say this if you need a reset already this morning: I am allowed to reset and move forward with grace.

I often take a deep breath and then say, “Okay, moving on.”

When it comes to resetting, one of the biggest things we experience is resetting our expectations and the pressure we feel is on us.

We stress about so many things because we feel expectations and pressure deeply.

I know for me, when I’m given a task and I look at everything that needs to be done and get it all laid out, if I mess up or feel like I’ve disappointed anyone, that’s when I feel that stress and pressure the most.

Don’t get into your own head about things. Have some self-compassion and compassion for others along the way.

Remember that it’s better to take a step back, reset, and move forward instead of stressing and running on building pressure.

God does not stop us or shame us for needing to reset. He invites it. He is the one who told us to take a day of rest. This day of rest and resetting is often where we find clarity and peace.

We often say we’ll start something on Monday… in our minds, Monday is the day to reset and start something new or different. But it doesn’t have to be Mondays. It can be any day, and it can be multiple times a day.

When we get in the habit of restarting only one day a week, we can find ourselves quitting sooner. But when we walk through every day with the thought, I messed up — that’s okay, I’ll reset right now, we give ourselves grace and accomplish so much more.

Let’s take a moment to pray today.

Father God, help us today — and every day — to renew our minds. Give us the clarity and direction we need, and then the courage to begin again. Refresh our hearts, minds, and spirits, Lord. Help us keep our focus on You so we can follow Your guidance through it all. Thank You for Your mercies and provision. Amen.

The weight of the world can feel so heavy sometimes, to the point where all I want to do is walk away from it all. I want a clean slate, and I just need to start over.

I know you’ve been in a place of “I’m done,” and that’s okay.

When I have those moments, I find the most clarity when I stop and sit. I have to find a new perspective to stop my mind from reeling. It’s especially needed when I’m struggling with something I’ve done before or already had figured out.

I’m thankful that God is with me and encourages that time to reset and restart. Grace carries us forward when our strength and morale feel low.

As we wrap up today, remember that resetting and starting afresh every morning is a gift from God. God is the God of renewal and restoration, and with Him we have the opportunity to realign ourselves with grace.

What area of your life might need a gentle reset? Take a moment, take a breath, and reset right now.