Brokenness "2": January 6, 2014

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY JANUARY 6, 2014.

BROKENNESS “2”

DEFINITION:

Despondent; feeling worthless, lonely and frustrated; fractured or shattered; violated or transgressed against.

SCRIPTURE:

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. I Peter 4: 12-13.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles. I Corinthians 1:3-4a

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Maybe you are facing a time of brokenness in your life and it feels as though the emotional pain is more than you can bear. Or perhaps you are dealing with disappointments that have completely undermined your security in life. When you are in this position you need to ask the Lord what He is trying to teach you rather than feeling fearful.

The Apostle Paul faced a time like this in his life and he wrote in II Corinthians 12:8, “I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.” Although God did not remove the so called “Thorn” in his life, He did help Paul to understand that this “Thorn” was given him to keep him from exalting himself and from relying on anything other than Christ (II Corinthians 12:7-11).

The same is true for us today. Whenever we experience brokenness in our lives, God’s grace can sustain and mature us. He will show us how to relinquish our reliance on earthly things and teach us how to rest in His wonderful provisions and love.

This is the way we can grow to be more Christ-like in our lives and know that it is Gods way to prepare us for future service for Him. We need to keep in mind that God uses brokenness to deepen our understanding in three ways.

First, we will gain a new perspective of God’s mercy and provision and also learn to depend on Him more each day. Secondly, we will develop a more complete comprehension of ourselves. And finally, our compassion and understanding of others’ suffering will grow.

Parents need to be reminded that when a child has brokenness (a hurt) in their life that this is an opportunity to teach that God’s grace can overcome all hurts. Many events that a child faces in life is a major crisis to the child but to the parent it may seem insignificant. A child hurts should never be ignored or brushed aside. Children’s feelings are sensitive and they are easily hurt.

Children instinctively run to their parents for comfort when they are hurt. God has given parents the role of being their children’s comforter. God tells us in Isaiah 66:13 that, “as one whom his mother comforts so I will comfort you.” Shouldn’t this wonderful promise from our heavenly Father cause us to run instinctively to Him for comfort in our times of brokenness? There are three things each of us should think about:

•    Are we, as parents there for our children to comfort them in their times of brokenness?

•    Do we ourselves turn to God, our comforter, in times of our own brokenness?

•    Are we teaching our children to know that God loves them as a father and mother loves their children? Do we tell our children that He wants them to run to Him when they are hurting? They need to know that He wants to be their comforter.

When you face a season of trials and brokenness remember that if you put your trust in God and learn from Him, He will reveal Himself to you and work through you in wonderful ways known only to Him. The Lord has only one goal in mind for you and that is spiritual victory.  We need to be confident that Jesus can take our weakness and turn it into strength, hope, and honor.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 15:9.

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

PRAYER:

Help me to learn to put my complete trust in You. When trials and frustrations come my way, help me not to face them in my own power but to run to You for comfort and strength.