By Ashraf Sara

Many of us here in U.S. don’t realize completely what it takes to be a true follower of Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

I met this young man at a revival in Baghdad. I spoke from Isaiah 43:19 about how God is the God of new beginnings. “Behold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth.”

After the meetings, he approached me and told me of his brokenness, and how his life got stuck at a certain point in the past. His pain was visible as he spoke, and it was obvious he was hurt and couldn’t move forward. He was stuck in a dark, vicious cycle. His question was, “I have given my life to Jesus, so why doesn’t he just make everything anew like you spoke of in your sermon?”

The Lord gave me the words I replied with: “It is one thing to cry over spilled milk, and another thing to cry over spoiled milk.” Your brokenness is like spoiled milk. Let go of the past.” Jesus regenerates the heart once, but the mind must be renewed by Him every single day, hour, and minute.

I also came from Iraq, and I know the challenges and frustration you go through as a true follower of Jesus, who said in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly. “ He prayed with me and finally, I saw a beautiful genuine smile on his face. He asked how he could get more material to listen to, and I referred him to the Arabic show I do in partnership with Lifeword called “No2tat Saraha”. Please continue to pray for him and the Holy Spirit to continue giving him guidance, comfort, and peace.