Beauty in the Brokenness

Tomorrow would have been our 20th wedding anniversary. September is a difficult month for me, the anniversary of our marriage, and the anniversary of his death, both of which took place. It is a time of remembering and reflecting. This week, I will be spending a few days at the location where we had our honeymoon. Part of the healing process involves being intentional about creating new memories and traditions, while also remembering the past. God uses all of it. It is a way of moving forward with hope and purpose, while still leaving space for tears and the grief that will always be a part of us.

Today I want to speak about brokenness. We've all experienced it in one way or another, whether it's the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, or the brokenness of a repentant heart before the LORD. None of us enjoys the breaking process. Most of us fight against it and avoid it as much as possible. Sometimes, though, it is necessary. It's definitely unavoidable. People die, relationships change, and sometimes we must lay down and surrender parts of ourselves that the LORD wants to transform or deliver us from.

Why do we fear brokenness and pain? I know it hurts. I've spent most of my life trying to avoid painful and challenging situations. Here's the thing, though, I've never felt so close to God as I have during the hardest and most painful seasons of my life. God met me there and comforted me. Facing the unknown and the painful things and watching those we love go through hard things is never easy. Let me encourage you with a few of God's promises.

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." - Matthew 5:4

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." - Psalm 51:17

One of the hardest things I have ever had to do is say, " I trust you" to God while I watched my husband fade away. To watch loved one's struggle with very hard things and say, "God, you love them and know what is best for them. Have your way." To say, "Lord, I don't know what the future holds, but I know you are holding me and have a plan for my good and your glory." To say, "Jesus, I am a sinner in need of your grace. Come, be LORD of my life. Forgive me and take every broken piece of my life. Form me into your image. Search me, Lord. Know me and remove everything that is contrary to you." So hard, yet so worth it. To be able to rest in His love, be filled with His peace, and see the Holy Spirit restore ever broken piece of your life, what a gift. He is not a cruel Father, but one that wants to free us from the bondage of sin that seeks to destroy us. Just as a mother endures much pain to bring forth a new life into the world, the pain of laying down our sin nature and being born again into new life is worth the pain of surrender.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" - Psalm 139:23-24

Father God,

Be with my dear friend reading this. Thank you for drawing near to them in the dark times, carrying them through every storm. May they lay down anything they may be holding on to, trusting that You are good and will withhold no good thing from those that put their trust in you. Fill them with your peace and love. May they walk in obedience to whatever it is you are calling them to lay down at your feet. Thank you for the hard things that remind us of our need for you. Thank you for the trials that are used to purify us and form us into your image. You are a good God and we trust you. Blessed be your Holy name!

In Jesus' mighty name,

Amen

Until next time, my friend, be blessed.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.