Memory Lane
I remember being a child and having a slight obsession with needing my crayons to look perfect. Yes, I used them, and I knew that they wouldn’t all be the same length, but I didn’t like them broken. If I accidentally broke a crayon, I didn’t want to put it back in the crayon box. Because, in my then 4-year-old mind, broken equaled unusable.
But when I started grade school, I encountered countless teachers that had small bins filled with broken and “perfect” looking crayons. All mixed together for students to use. The preferred crayons, of course, were the nonbroken ones, and sometimes arguments would break out amongst us students. The teacher would usually take the time to show us and explain that the red crayon broken or not, colored the same.
Over time, I unlearned what I thought as a child, and now as an educator, I see this in my own classroom. The preference for “perfection” in crayon form. And, how some students would even go as far as crying if they had to use the broken ones. Now, being in the position to do what my teachers did, I take the time to show them and explain, that the red crayon broken or not, colored the same.
How God uses our Brokenness
We all at some point have been broken, some more than others. Trials and unexpected tribulations have warned us out, leaving us feeling depleted with nothing left to give. And, that subconscious childlike thought can creep up again, making us feel useless and unworthy.
But in my personal experience, even when I had hit rock bottom, God somehow met me in that dark broken place. He patiently spoke worth in me, building me over again. And in hindsight, I now realize the value of brokenness. That there are some things God can only do in us when we are broken.
4 Ways God use our brokenness
Character Building
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
When we are broken, we are open and more willing to listen to God. God uses this moment to reveal defects in our character, that would otherwise be difficult to see. And because we are willing to see those flaws, we are now able to ask God to help us have victory.
This reminds me of Peter after he denied Christ three times. The bible says, he “went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:54-62) In his sorrow, he was able to see his root issue. When he realized his flaw, he was convicted, and broken in spirit. Peter’s brokenness led to true repentance, and God was able to use him greatly.
Bring us closer to God
Have you ever noticed that test and trials, tend to draw us closer to God? That’s because subconsciously we realize, we cannot overcome it, in it of yourselves. Our power or intellect cannot make our current struggle, pain, anxiety go away completely. It can only offer temporary relief.
We need Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30 says “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
In our brokenness, we seek Christ.
Push us into purpose | Jump start ministry
All throughout the Bible, we see the people of God, rise up and do great things after they have fallen. (Read: How to get back to Jesus after a fall)
This still applies today. God transforms the most broken, sinful moments of our lives into something that give Him glory. He cleans us up, clothe us in his righteousness, helps us gain clarity and focus, and put us on the right path.
We see this in the story of Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Paul before his conversion was killing and persecuting The Church, but his encounter with God on the road of Damascus changed his life forever.
Saul blindness gave him the eyes to see The Church differently. Likewise, sometimes God allows the pain and brokenness to play out in our lives, in order to get our attention. Then, He is able to draw us closer, to mold and shape us and place us in the right direction. Paul went on to write about 13 of the New Testament books in the Bible, he all so did countless things to further The Church.
Testimony
“Come and hear, all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul.” Psalm 66:16
Testimony is defined as:
- Evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.
Testimonies give hope and strengthen faith. Our testimony is evidence of God’s faithfulness and his redeeming power. It helps believers and nonbelievers, see physical evidence of what God can do in someone’s life. It is the message of Christ made visible for all to see and believe that he “has come to set the captives free.”
Praise the lord my brother in christ.i am really blessed and also encouraged while madateing every word. It will help in my
ministry in helping many who are going through so many brokness in there life
I feel inspired,I owe many people of their money and feel broken.i need God to help me pay back all my debts.After everything I do for the lord I feel guilty and could not forgive myself for it.
This is Gods process for us to broken,this has been a painful rewarding experience. I’m so grateful that he broke me and I understand what it means to set apart for the masters use. This article and comments have helped me as I’m entering the making process with another season of being broken by the Father! GOD BLESS EVERYONE Thanks Wendy
Amen Wendy!
May the Lord continue to transform and refine you in this season.
wonderful indeed. it has just cleared my fears that i experience whenever am broken in spirit. blessings
I thank God for this.
Thank you for this article. Starting in October of 2013, I started a journey of brokenness. It has been brutal, but wouldn’t change it, because like Peter I finally saw who I really was. For decades I was a functioning Christian, but not an authentic Christian. I relied on my own strength rather than on God’s. I was so blind and now see, so lost and now found. I pray for so many people Christians and non-Christians alike that are so full of themselves. They really don’t realize it until they crash and that is when the rebuilding starts. I once read that God first Takes us, then Breaks us, then Makes us. I think I am in the Making stage, I hope. LOL
Peyton
Same here. It could appear sometimes more frustrating as one who has identified with the LORD.. Sometimes one’s life seem to make God’s promise as though it’s untrue.. We pray for intimacy to understand Him and His ways.
Thanks to our Lord, Previously I was down into a deep pit but He raised me up into His plans. It was amazing thought of our Lord. I learned how to develop my faith in His Words.
Cheryl, I want to thank you and let you know that your words have made a positive difference for me today. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for using your words as a springboard to speak to my heart and help me to see what I couldn’t see on my own. I realized that I have been so aware, so focused on my own brokenness, so aware of my own limitations that I have felt inadequate to do what the Lord is asking me to do. I realized that I need to shift my focus from what I feel I can’t do, to focus on what Jesus can surely do, knowing that He will supply all that is lacking in me. Thank you, Lord, for breaking the chains of self-doubt that I had wrapped around myself. Now, with my eyes focused on You, I can move forward and do Your holy will!
Praise God! I pray that God continues to encourage you Gina.
God Bless
In science, it was stated that energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but changes from one form to another form.They choose to call that manifestation’Energy’,but that is the Spirit. I agree to your teaching on “Brokenness of the Heart for that is way to release uncreated immeasurable Divine Power to work in our favour for the experiencing of the new creation in Jesus Christ,the Lord of lords.
What an awesome way you stated that comment, Jude Dike! Roman’s 8:28-29 all day!
I am and have been broken so many times! Many trials and tribulations within the past six years. I know I have become stronger and I have changed in many ways, positively. Lately, I have been feeling anxious and teary events from the past returning to the present. My good friend sent me this reading and I felt it was God’s sent. I felt at peace after reading it. Thank you so much! We need encouragement and guidance to follow the path to Christ! God bless you!
Aw Praise God!
I am so glad that this post was able to bless you and give you peace Niurka. May God continue to comfort you and give you victory.
I truly was touched by all of what you shared. I took notes from it because l didn’t want to forget each category you spoke on. I will definitely share with others. Thank you so much, and may God continue enlightening you with supportive insights in spreading His love for us. God bless you
Aw Praise God!
So grateful that this was helpful and insightful.
And, thank you so much for your encouragement.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I can relate and understand being broken in Christ. Being broken in Christ shows the love he has for his people. I thank God for Jesus. I thank God for you and may he continue to bless and keep you.
Amen! I agree, when we are broken God shows his love and patience. And, He also reveals our blind spots.
Thank you for you comment. God bless you.
This piece mirrors my situation to letter. I guess God had you write this for me. God bless you. Now I have gained more clarity and focus on what next to do.
Confirmation!
Many people don’t understand what it means to be broken in Christ but with this piece, the eyes of many will be opened. God bless u ma’am.
The goodness of God that leads to repentance is sometimes done in brokenness. It takes a while longer for some of us to hear and obey. Loved your inspiring words.
Thank you this really broke down brokenness. I really enjoyed this. God bless you.
Thank you for the inspiring words.God really allow us to have pains and brokenness in order to get our attention.He is able to get us closer and mold and shape us in right direction.God bless you as you elaborate more.
WOW I am feeling broken right now a job that I have that I feel God has called me to but because of my own flaws is not going well. I have to realize I cant do this without him
Amen! This is so true. I really liked how you pointed out that it is when we are broken that we are more willing to listen to God. As a result this will bring our victory. May God continue to bless and inspire you to come up with more practical content for your readers.
Thank you for sharing this, I often struggle with my brokenness and feel that I can’t be affective in ministry, but read this has helped me embrace my brokenness and get closer to the cross, thank you so much!
Amen! This is so inspiring and I love it, God bless you.