Broken

A friend taught me about the value of change through pain. His wife left him during a New Year's celebration because of their constant struggles, which mostly centered around money.  A few weeks after they divorced, she married a man with a lot of money.  I mean a lot.

My friend went through a time of . . .
brokenness . . .
transition  . . .
and growth. . . .
that led to a sustaining change.

I admire him, wanting the kind of courage required to face and move through the depth of his brokenness to a positive and sustaining change. My friend is stronger than ever; however, he will never forget his place of brokenness.

The pain of his wife leaving for a man with more money could have changed him into a bitter and lost man.  So. He allowed the pain to produce positive change in his behavior. I have lived long enough to tell you that less pain than my friend went through can blind us to the truth that some of our own behaviors contribute to our painful experiences.  Jesus told us that the enemy of our life wants to take our life away but that He, Jesus, wants to add to it, giving us a full life.  The thief of life will use anything to steal, kill and destroy us.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10, NIV)

We have been given the power to choose how we will face the pain of brokenness which will ultimately leave us strong and courageous or weak and bitter.  We can either let the thief of life steal any possibility of living a full life or stop his work through the liberating courage we are given through Christ. The direction of our life changes through the way we allow the pain to direct us. 

Choose the full life that God has for you, regardless of how others behave, speak, or act.  Refuse to let the enemy of life to direct you to a bitter and lost life. Begin the day by focusing on God.  Intentionally ask God to direct you through the pain. Trust God to use the pain to change whatever it was that brought you to the place of brokenness. Do what is necessary to change. Trust God to walk you through the pain to place of healing and wholeness. Believe God will use the pain to strengthen and even bless you in life-changing growth.

Learning to Kickstart the day facing the pain of brokenness through Christ,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2011 All Rights Reserved)