Welcome back and thank you for joining me this week as we continue discussing how God releases blessings to us in our brokenness. There are seven developments that I have experienced during my period of brokenness and I shared four of them last week. They are: defuses sin, destroys our pride, demolishes our self- reliance, and determines our path. I truly believe that every Christian regardless of what type of brokenness they have felt; they have experienced or will experience some of these 7 developments.
God shines His comforting light on us during this time as we go through our moments of feeling broken. There are some beautiful blessings that are revealed to us as we desire to seek Him. Whether it’s our health, our heart, a close relationship, or even our spirit that is broken we should be encouraged during these times because our Heavenly father is nearer than we think or feel at the time.
“He saves those who are crushed in spirit”. How comforting is that? During our moments of pain, worry, fear, and grief Almighty God wants to save us! As you go through these trials I want you to remember that verse. I also want to share with you the final 3 transforming developments that take place as we travel through these debilitating trials.
1-Develops our Faith. Our faith is where we get our strength from God. However, without exercise, muscles grow weaker. When God brings us through these difficult and trying times our faith in Him grows stronger!
Consider it all joy my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it’s perfect effect so that you may be perfect, complete lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4.
Those were some of the first verses I memorized after the stroke. James wants us to understand that these trials are testing and growing our faith as God desires a deeper more intimate relationship with us. Which leads me to the next transforming development.
2-Deepens our Relationship with Christ. As we suffer through unexpected difficulties and pain God delivers us and our love for Him grows immensely. We want to please Him in everything we do. We realize just how much He loves and we want to return that love by honoring Him. They best way to honor Him is by being obedient and seeking to do His will. (John 14:15)
I love those that love Me and those who diligently seek Me will find Me. “ Proverbs 8:17.
Are you diligently seeking Him? If not that just might be the source of the brokenness you are feeling or have experienced. God is not hiding from you and as I mentioned earlier; He wants to save you!
3-Displays of God’s Love for us. This is my favorite and the BEST development! As our faith in Christ grows and our relationship with Him deepens; we feel the indescribable benefits of His love: undeserved redemption, indescribable peace, unmerited grace, joy in our soul, and protection from the enemy. Also, remember this, He’s preparing a place for us with Him in Heaven!
For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord, You surround him with favor as a shield.” Psalms 5:12
And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard yours hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
Don’t be dejected or sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
In my Father’s house are many mansions, I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2.
Wow! I know the trials and feelings of brokenness are extremely painful but have you ever wondered what your mansion in Heaven will be like? I sometimes daydream about how God is designing my mansion and who will be next door to me? As Christians we must keep our eyes on our Savior trusting Him to bring us through these difficult times. Look at what Job said as he was going through some of the most difficult trials you can imagine!
But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me I shall come forth like gold.” Job 23:10
I cannot comprehend how Job was able to maintain that kind of trust in God with everything that happened but whenever I’m feeling broken and suffering through difficulties; I want to have a faith like his.
In fact, here is my last verse of this post and I’m adding it to my list of verses to memorize. It’s a promise of God that we need to carry with us as we encounter trials and are feeling broken in spirit.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor the flame will burn you.” Isaiah 43:2.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, brokenness is a painful process that we must go through at some point in our lives as God molds us to be more like Him. It is my prayer that you will remember just how much He loves you and know that His beautiful blessings will follow whatever you are going through. God is not going to leave us alone in the boat tossing to and fro through the frightful storms in life. He promises that He will bring us safely to the other side!
Food for Thought
What are some beautiful blessings of Christ’s love that He has revealed to you during difficult or extremely trying times? Please share and encourage us in the comments!
Horace Williams Jr is the oldest son of a pastor who went to be with Jesus in 2020. He is an award-winning author and amateur chef who loves Jesus Christ. His passion for Christ inspires readers to draw nearer to the God who loves them.
What a glorious medley of verses you’ve served up here! God allowed His own Son to be crushed in order to rescue us in our brokenness. Truth for a fantastic celebration of Easter!
Amen…you have grabbed my theme for my Easter Post next week Michele! His brokenness(at the cross) to blessings(as He sits at the right hand of God) is the ultimate example of blessings from brokenness. It brings a smile of encouragement just thinking about what He’s done. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful weekend! God bless.
I had a vision (of sorts) during my quiet time. There was fire, but a path through the fire. God walked through it, making a path that became fire-less, and then on the other side he held out his hand to me so I could walk through.
The verse you quoted (Isaiah 43) reminds me of this vision.
Sometimes I wonder if there ever IS NOT a fire we are walking through. One fire ceases, another pops up.
If you haven’t seen RISEN yet…seriously, a great movie just in time for Easter!
Wow.. that’s quite a vision Elaine! Yes I think that life is at times a series of trials and fires we must walk through. That is one way for God to strengthen our faith in Him. I took my mother to see Risen the weekend it came out. We loved it! I am going to highly recommend it to my subscribers in my newsletter this month. Thanks for the visit Elaine. Have a wonderful weekend my friend!
Horace, I so enjoyed reading your post! I hope you will link it and your Easter post (& others, if you like) at Mondays @ Soul Survival.
My husband and I have gone through numerous trials in our 33+ years of walking with the Lord, but He has done something grand out of each one, eventually putting us in full time ministry.
Have a great week-end. BTW I found you on the Grace & Truth linkup.
Blessings!
Thanks Donna for the comment and the invite I will make reminder to share it on Soul Survival. I am glad you enjoyed the post and congratulations on 33+ years. Have a wonderful weekend and God bless!
my brother told me once we learn far more in failure than in success – i think it’s because we run to our Father and find Him faithful no matter what. blessings on you. next to you at donna’s this evening.
Wow…that is so true Sue! Our Heavenly Father is faithful to us in all things. I am thankful He’s always here for us in every circumstance. Thanks for the visit and your insightful comment. have a wonderful week and may God bless you and yours!
What an encouragement as you share these blessings that come from brokenness. It’s never easy, especially while we’re still in the midst of it, but if we can hold on to God’s promises that good things are always on the way, it can make our time in the trial a little bit easier. Isaiah 43:2 is a verse I’ve memorized too; such power in it!
Thank you Lisa for the visit and your kind words. Yes, the “holding on” is definitely the hard part but as we put our trust in Christ, He will bring us through!. Thanks again for visiting. I hope you have a wonderful week and a blessed Easter weekend!
One of my most broken moments was the car ride home from the hospital after watching my husband be taken into surgery. I was filled with fear and in need of His touch. And God met me in that car ride home. His presence was my blessing. : )
I pray that your husband is now doing better Crystal. It is amazing how in those times where fear begins to creep in, we are reminded that the Good Shepherd is always near. Thanks so much for the opportunity to share. You have become such an encouragement to me in my desire to share what God puts on my heart. Thank you for your kindness..what a blessing my friend. Have a blessed week and a fantastic Easter weekend as we remember our Savior!
Most of us have lived your words, and the promise of Isaiah 43:2 have been such a comfort to me through the years. Thank you for such encouragement to remember that our brokenness does not define us, but He does!
Thanks for the visit and your comment Crystal. I’m glad you were encouraged. Yes, as believers in Christ we are a reflection of Him. Our brokenness may occur for any number of reasons but we must remember that we are His sheep and He is watching over us. Thanks again for the visit. Have a wonderful week and a blessed Easter weekend!
One time, God gave me a spelling lesson :). When my husband had to choose whether to accept more radiation (which would render his brain semi-dysfunctional) or refuse the treatment (which would result in death), I gave all of the worry and fear and my husband’s very life over to God whilst riding in an airplane. Once I finished, I sort of sob-whined, “Will everything be ok?” and over the next five minutes the airliner passed over three distinct geographical features–a Y an E and an S.
Thanks for the visit and your comment Anita. Isn’t it AMAZING how God reveals Himself during our times of brokenness! I am striving to seek Him every day so I can “see” Him on a regular basis:) Thanks again for the visit. Have a wonderful week and a blessed Easter weekend!
Horace, Your words made me think of a favorite quote from Pastor Alistair Begg, “If dependence is the objective, then weakness is an advantage.” Our moments of brokenness and trial deepen our dependence on God. They prove our faith true and require us to put feet to what we proclaim. That isn’t always easy, or without inward and outward struggle, but it refines us and helps us cling all the more to a faithful God. Great insight here, friend.
What a great quote Tiffany! I am still learning to live in complete dependence. It is scary and confusing at times but when I put my faith in Him, there is peace that only Christ can offer. Thanks for visiting and your thoughtful comment. Have a wonderful week and a blessed Easter weekend!
Horace, what wonderful blessings you have listed that come from hard times. I know my growth had come that way. I also liked the quote Tiffany shared also from Alistair Begg, “If dependence is the objective, then weakness is an advantage.” Have a wonderful Easter!
Thanks for stopping by Debbie. Yes, it’s those blessings from God that have helped me survive through some dark moments in my life. My dependence on Christ is what keeps me in His bosom as I seek to understand Him better and fulfill His will for my life. Have a blessed Easter weekend!
Horace, you share some beautiful thoughts here. I’m a firm believer that God uses our brokenness. I’ve seen Him draw me closer to Him as I walk through seasons of being broken. He never wastes those seasons. When we can yield to Him in those times, He comforts us, draws us close and brings healing to those areas in our lives that are broken. It’s been a process for me. I love that He draws near to us and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him during these times.
Amen Jeanne! I could not agree more. I love that Jesus draws us near to Him in our seasons of brokenness. I am learning to seek Him daily and foster that closeness that He desires. I know that I will fail at times but because of His grace and mercy, I can still have an intimate relationship with Him. Thanks for the visit and your insightful comment. Have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Easter Sunday!
Thank you for the great post, Horace. Right on the mark! I would also like to add that everything you say here about brokenness, and you mention it earlier in your post, applies well to brokenness in relationships.
Specifically, I have found this to be true in my relationship with my teenage son. We went through some tough times for several years, but our faithful God used that for depth and richness in our relationship. He used it to develop our trust and communication with each other. Mostly, he used it to teach us both to depend on Him as Lord of each of our lives. Now, my son has “come out the other side” of his trials and has been saying things like “I know why God has me here and it makes things 100x easier knowing God has this and is in control.” Thanks again, Horace!
Amen Brian..Praise God! I love to hear stories of God working in peoples lives. What a blessing to hear what has taken place between you and your son. I will admit I hate that I missed those times with my father as I was pretty rebellious but I always appreciated the Godly man He is. Now that he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, I treasure my time with Him as he still recognizes me every time He sees me. That being said, I a learning to seek God’s wisdom and direction when I go through those moments of brokenness. Thanks for the visit Brian. I really appreciate your heartfelt and inspiring comment. May God continue to richly bless you and yours!
Jesus is close to the broken-hearted. Sometimes when times get tough our first instinct is to withdraw. But I love the reminder from James that tells us to count our trials as joy. We all know brokenness and I love how you have shared your story here with the encouragement of life with Christ is the true answer. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Sitting Among Friends on Wednesdays. I hope we see you again this week!
Thanks for the visit Jaime and your sincere comment. Yes, those verse in James I’ve committed to memory. As I continue to seek Christ; I know that trials will occur because Jesus warns us in his word. I have seen in my own life His amazing power to transform and heal. I also want to thank you for the opportunity to share. I love what you are doing on your site. I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend and may God bless you and yours in all your endeavors!
Oh Horace, This is such a blessing!! It is hard to swallow that brokenness shows God’s love for us, but it really does show just how much He loves us because He never leaves us during those times. He is there holding us up so we can make it through. I just read Isaiah 43:2 last night in a book and though I really need to memorize it and here it is again. I’ve added it to my list of verses, I will be memorizing. I too, enjoy thinking about who will be my neighbor in Heaven. What an exciting time it will be when we get there! Thank you for sharing with us at Thankful Thursdays.
Thanks Lori.. I am so glad you enjoyed the post. That verse in Isaiah is such a comforting word from God! I am glad He is always here to bring me through my moments of brokenness. It is in those times that my faith in Him grows stronger. Thank you so much for the opportunity to share. Have a blessed weekend my friend!
Great you are doing a series on this! Not so much writing about this topic anymore. I appreciate the transformations you wrote and the scriptures too.
God Bless, friend.
So great to hear from you Ifeoma! I hope all is well with you and family! Yes… I did a two part series on this topic because I have seen God’s blessings from my brokenness since the stroke. I am thankful that He loves me and continues to watch over me each day. I want to glorify Him in all that I do. Have a great weekend my friend and continued blessings to you and yours!
Thanks for sharing the blessings you’ve found in brokenness. I’ve definitely found that the most difficult times have been the times that drew me to really seek God and deepened my faith. Although trials are not pleasant I love that God can work good from them and there are blessings to be found.
Yes that is very true Carly. As I’m going through a painful trial right now, I am asking God; “what does He want me to learn from this?” We may not always understand the trials or difficulties that we experience but we have confidence in Christ that it will work out for our own good! Thanks for visiting and your sincere comment. Have a wonderful Wednesday and may God continue to richly bless you and yours!