Broken lives and wounded hearts ∙

Broken lives and wounded hearts ∙

But I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all! – Psalms 22:6

Isaiah 48:17-22

 17 This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.

 18 Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.

 20 Yet even now, be free from your captivity! . . . Shout it to the ends of the earth! The LORD has redeemed his servants, the people of Israel.

 22 “But there is no peace for the wicked,” says the LORD.

There are independent thrift stores scattered throughout the United States, as well as several thrift store corporations specializing in reselling items no longer wanted or needed by their owners.

In America, it’s common to dispose of things that are no longer useful, broken, or out of style. When we decide we no longer require them, we discard them and reject damaged goods.

Sadly, Planet Earth is home to individuals with wounded hearts, broken spirits, and fractured relationships, including people. When marriages fall apart, it’s typical to walk away instead of fixing them.

To the fallen humanity, broken things are seen as worthless and despised. However, the Father sees things differently. He searches for those who are wounded and broken. He is in the business of recycling human souls. The in-store motto is “Redemption and Transformation Found Here.”

The tragedy of broken lives and wounded hearts is transformed into something far better by the Father, who takes great pleasure in this task. He has no competition in this line of work.

The Scriptures use a metaphor to depict these difficult and hopeless situations, in which individuals feel as if they are “like worms” or “poor in spirit.” When our lives are shattered and our hearts are deeply wounded, we often struggle with significant self-esteem issues, feeling inadequate, unworthy, and even shameful.

Psalms 22:6 I am a worm and not a man. I am scorned and despised by all!

REFLECT & PRAY

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. – Psalms 34:18

Father thank You for drawing close to each child of the King who is spiritually wounded and brokenhearted. Repair my heart and allow me to experience the joy of my salvation more and more, day by day.

INSIGHT

In the kingdom of God, the Father uses broken lives and wounded hearts to draw us toward Himself. He beckons to us, desiring for us to listen and come to Him so that He can make us complete. Unfortunately, we often focus inward on our brokenness and feelings of unworthiness rather than hearing His voice.

The most profound need of every individual is inner regeneration and transformation. We may try to keep busy to distract ourselves from the pain and avoid hearing His call, which leaves us feeling miserable and inadequate. This can lead to a cycle of self-blame, despair, and darkness, where we fail to understand that we can be restored. T

Matthew 5:3 God blesses those who are poor in spirit and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

The Father is ready and able to break the cycle of the past and make everything new.

When we reach a breaking point, many earnestly seek the Father more sincerely. When we come to the Father with shattered lives, He alone can take broken and wounded hearts and make them whole.

2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Only when we take our eyes off ourselves and stop ruminating on the past can this inner transformation be realized. When we recognize our utter need for the Father, we can focus more on Him. Our brokenness is but the end of the beginning and the beginning of the rest lives seeking to walk with Him.

As we place the Father at the center of our lives, a unique and wonderful healing process occurs from the inside out. He conforms us more and more to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ and gradually makes us into what He wants us to be. Things begin to fall in place and come together in ways we could never have imagined. The Father never changes, and His mercy never falters.

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with You;

You change not, Your compassions, they fail not as You have been You forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!  Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –  Great is Thy faithfulness,  Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endures, Your own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

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© Dr. H 2023