Walking through a time of brokenness is heart-breaking.

Whatever the source, the end results are always the same … the pain is deep, there is a profound sense of desperation and the pressure of doubt is real.

Typically, we put on our “brave face” and push on, but in the end, we close down, we clam up and we choose to try and take it on by ourselves.

Of course, that never works … and deep down we know that … but dealing with it is far more challenging than dismissing it.

As painful as it is to experience this on a personal level, it is even more painful to see someone you love or deeply care for broken in a desperate way.

Of late, I have been so acutely aware of this reality.

Too many in my world are struggling, enduring a difficult battle and feeling the fury of a fiery trial.

I have just received news that a lifelong mentor, friend, and supporter who has stood with me for more than 50 years is now in a battle with terminal cancer. He and his wife invested in me early on (they even drove 24 hours one way to be with Ruthanne and I on our wedding day) and have continued to love us and our family.

While all of us have our confidence, faith, and hope in the Lord … there is no doubt that the initial news was such a harsh blow … and in the end, it simply reveals and confirms this timeless truth.

Brokenness … Her Brutal Blow Always Takes Its Toll!
The capacity to move our lives forward on any level, lies entirely outside of us.

Every single little thing, every big thing, and every massively huge thing that confronts us in life … is beyond us.

We were made to be utterly dependent on Him and yet He gave us the free will to attempt to do life without Him.

But that never works … absolutely never!

It simply is not in us … and on our best day we remain utterly helpless!

Brokenness … Her Brutal Blow Always Takes Its Toll!
Sarah Ortiz in her blog entitled, “6 BIBLE VERSES FOR BROKEN HEARTS” shares these precious promises that provide comfort for those who hurt and are broken.

▪ God is near: The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope (Psalm 34:18)

▪ God will strengthen you: You made me suffer a lot, but you will bring me back from this deep pit and give me a new life. (Psalm 71:20)

▪ God is with you: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1)

▪ Hard times won’t last: I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)

▪ God has a plan: I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11)

▪ Don’t give up: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)

These are words of life … they will liberate us from the tyranny of threat.

These are words that need to live in us personally … they will sustain us in every struggle.

These are words that need to be loudly proclaimed … they will need to find their way into the soul of every son and daughter of God.

Brokenness … Her Brutal Blow Always Takes Its Toll!

There is no doubt about that … but we must also know that our God is with us … and His Word will never fail us!

In Him, with Him, through Him, and by Him … We shall overcome!

I leave you with the final words from the book of Jude … words that our pastor in Brussels Christian Center spoke over us last Sunday,

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

Amen indeed!

– Terry –