Life is Broken
Jesus wept. God grieved.
In small ways and great, things have gone wrong. Go to Bible Gateway and look up the word "groan." We groan, the whole creation groans. What was intended for us is not always what has happened. Whether by our own hands or by what has happened to us, life can be pretty messed up. But there is a timeless route to healing. It works the same today as it did thousands of years ago. Check it out.
The rhythm of restoration
Step one: Grieve.
You were not designed for brokenness. When Jesus encountered our heartache he wept. He sweat drops of blood. He had to retreat to quiet places to pray regularly. This is not because life was full of perfection, it's because life is broken – in small ways and great ways.
When Jesus Christ had an audience of thousands, the very first people he addressed were the hurting, and the words he spoke were comfort. God has comfort for you, and your brokenness is top on his list.
“In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears.
STEP TWO: CONFESS.
Confession is not condemnation, confession is the first step to restorative life. If you can’t see the dirt, you can’t clean it out. Ask God to open your eyes to see the intricacies of your situation. Being truthful with God always pleases him. It gives you your most accurate picture. It’s important for you to see and recognize before God how you have been wronged, and how you have wronged others. This equips you with the best way to move forward.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
STEP THREE: FORGIVENESS
Float your mind to a battlefield—you know, like the ones we see in movies. Imagine a soldier lying with a sword wound. He lives. But unlike movies, those wounds hurt for a lifetime. Forgiveness doesn’t erase consequences. Forgiveness erases revenge and debts that can’t be paid. It doesn’t mean you head out into the battlefield to get wounded again—your wisest course is to steer clear of those who are bent on violence—emotional or physical. Forgiveness isn’t easy, it’s a challenging internal discipline. The rewards are worth it—it helps free you from bitterness, and allows for transformative love to take its place.
This is the forgiveness we receive from God, for the small things and the big things.
Receive and give the beautiful gift of forgiveness. It can be done in the moment and practiced for a lifetime.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
STEP FOUR: ALTER YOUR COURSE
Armed with truth and a slate washed clean from forgiveness, you’re ready to step forward into a fresh new day. This is true repentance—to step forward into a new life.
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
STEP FIVE: Walk with God
Your destiny is beautiful. Step into it. Seek God, every day, with all your heart, soul, and mind, and see what he has for you.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
A VERY SHORT STORY ABOUT A VERY BROKEN MAN
A man rode his bicycle down a busy five-lane city street. His tan muscles glistened in the sun. He was steering deftly with one arm, not because he was relaxed on this busy road, but because he only had one arm. There are times in this life, when we've lost an integral part of ourselves. Once grief and restoration is complete, like this man, we can still move forward, when we're ready.
You can still succeed, you can still thrive. Consider your losses, and a then consider what you have left. You have all the tools you need to step forward.
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
This wisdom is ancient. It never changes. It brings healing and restoration. If you would like this to be shared with more and more people, consider partnering with us.