Tag: Broken spirit

Posted on in Encouragement

Moving Forward

  Sometimes we get to a  point in our lives, where we have to make a decision to either stand still, go backwards or move forward.  It would seem likely that we would choose to go forward, but in reality we don’t always make that our first choice. Hopefully, going backwards is never the choice. However, it’s the standing still that might cause other problems to arise or get worse.

I’ve recently had to make some personal decisions in my life and I chose to move forward.  This was not my first choice.  I had stood still in a situation for a long time.  I thought progress was being made but then I realized there had been little to no progress.  I made myself believe I was moving forward even when the same issues and problems continued to exist.  I was praying about it and I was still holding on.  When I came to the realization there was no progress, I knew it was time to take some steps. I did not want to stay in that same place and I refused to go backwards. I needed to move forward.

The hardest part about moving forward is that sometimes we have to let go of things and people we have had in our lives for a long time.  We allow ourselves to believe what we are going through is normal, when it’s really not. We allow ourselves to become comfortable in uncomfortable situations. We allow ourselves to accept less than what we deserve.  We convince ourselves to hold on because of the love we have for that person and we fear moving on.

My first few steps were tough. I felt like I had cement in my shoes and I had to lift one foot up and put it down before I could think about moving the other foot.  In taking these steps, I have  had to make my situation transparent to family and friends  who had no clue about what was going on in my personal life. I’ve had to deal with the questions, the surprised reactions, the silence, the sympathy and the gossip.  I had to move from what seemed normal and comfortable onto a path I had not expected I would be taking.  I am moving forward.

I take every day step by step. Some days are better than others.  Some days I get through the day without crying and then there are days I  ask God to stop the tears from flowing.  Even with the tears, I am moving forward.  I don’t have time to look back and wonder why for the rest of my life. I understand that I may not get answers to some of  my own questions, but I do know I am moving forward.

I have been told I am a strong woman.  It’s not that I am so strong, it’s because I have a God who has never left me or forsaken me. I have a God who strengthens me when I am weak and a loving God who wipes away all of my tears. I have a God who will fight my battles for me and who will not allow any weapon formed against me to prosper.  I have a God who will supply my every need. I have a God who gives me peace and joy.  I have a God who restores me even in my brokenness.  I have a God who has ordered my steps. I am moving forward.

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Dear Lord, I am praying for someone who does not know that it’s time to move forward. I am praying for the person who does not know how to take that first step.  Lord, I ask You, in the name of Jesus, to give them the will to let go of past hurts, disappointments, unforgiveness, shame and self-pity.  I pray they will no longer allow themselves to be accepting of the uncomfortable places they are in.  I am praying for their strength and determination so they can move forward and receive the blessings You have in store for them. I am believing for them that every stronghold of guilt, abandonment, neglect, mistreatment, and depression will be broken off of their lives.  I am believing You will restore their souls. I pray for their restoration of faith, hope, peace, self-confidence, and joy.  Dear Lord, create in them a clean heart and lead them on the path of righteousness.  I am praying this is the day, they surrender all to You and they move forward! In the powerful and mighty name of Jesus, I say Amen!

 

Why Does It Have To Hurt So Much?

Have you ever experienced an excruciating physical pain and wondered why it had to hurt so much?  This is the type of pain that goes beyond a mere “ouch”.   And what about the pain that digs deep into your emotions?  The pain that breaks your heart and pulls at every part of your physical and emotional being. This could be pain that comes from a serious illness, a failed marriage or the loss of a loved one.  And how about that deep pain we feel due to our own bad choices and subsequent regrets?

Have you ever cried out to the LORD and asked why does it hurt so much?

The pains we experience in life will sometimes cause us to withdraw from a particular activity and/or withdraw from people. There are some athletes who become injured playing their favorite sport.  However, if they experience a torn ligament or broken limb, they may not feel up to returning to their sport for fear of being injured again and feeling that same unpleasant pain.

If you have ever experienced pain inflicted by another person, this could cause you to withdraw from building other friendships and keep you from trusting others.  I have been in this situation a few times.  I have believed someone was my friend only to find out they were doing things and saying things about me that would not meet the definition of friendship.  I have fallen in love and been married only to feel the heartache that comes from harsh words and hurtful actions that caused my heart to break and my trust to be broken.

When you experience a deep hurtful pain, it’s only natural to wonder why does it have to hurt so much? With any pain, whether physical or emotional, there is a healing process.  When you seek medical treatment you have to explain to the doctors and nurses what hurts and give them a level from 1 to 10 as to how much it hurts.   You also have to follow the directions and orders given by the doctors and nurses in order to assist with the progression of your physical healing.

When you have experienced the pain that digs deep into your emotions, you can also seek counseling from a trained professional.  Most of us tend to shy away from counseling because we feel it sends a message something is wrong with us.   This should be a matter of choice for you and perhaps talking to someone on a regular basis is just what you need to help with your healing.  Trying to go it alone may not be the answer for you, so hopefully there is  a ministry or a person within your church that you can call on to help with your healing process.

When I have experienced that deep pain and wondered why did it have to hurt so much, I have trusted in the Lord.  I know the hurt I feel will eventually go away, but I also know that it has also made me stronger.  I have survived the abuse; I have survived the ridicule; I have survived the disappointments and I have survived the dishonesty. I have survived the brokenness!  I can talk to God better than I can talk to anyone else and I know He listens to me even though He already knows what I am going to say.   I know He cares for me and He wants me to trust Him with all of my heart and soul.

Psalm 51:17  says “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.”

When I have wondered, why it hurt so much, I am reminded of Jesus.  I know that the beating He took, the carrying of the cross and being nailed to the cross had to hurt.  I know that the sneers from the crowd and the crown of thorns on His head caused Him some pain.   But, He endured that pain for me.  So when I am hurting and I am wondering why, I pull my strength from my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  I know that although my tears are flowing, He will give me joy in the morning.  I can wonder why it hurts, but I know the pain is what will draw me closer to  Him.

I was broken and He restored me!

Posted on in Encouragement, Faith, Inspirational, Spiritual, Uncategorized

A Light Within The Tunnel

Are you going through something right now?  Perhaps some challenges and frustrations  at work or at home?  Are you experiencing any brokenness because you don’t know how to get things under control in your life? Did you get a bad report from the doctor?  Are you about to undergo a major change in your lifestyle? Have you had to deal with the recent death of a loved one? Or did you just come out of a bad relationship?  Do you feel there is darkness all around and there is no light at the end of the tunnel?

Perhaps you are not going through at this present time, but there probably has been a time when you felt something similar to one of the above situations.

If you have had to battle any sickness or disease, who did you call on for your healing?   Have you come close to losing your home or been unemployed for a while and struggled to pay your bills?  Who made a way for you when it seemed like all else had failed?   When depression set in and your thoughts were not His thoughts, how did you make it through? For some, the better question might be, how are you making it through?

 Who do you call on late in the midnight hour? When there is trouble all around, who hears you crying?

Call on Jesus!  Let Him be your light in every dark tunnel.   Trust in the LORD!  Allow Him to lead you through.  He is the One who can lead you through the darkness and bring you to the light.  Whatever your issue or your circumstance,  you can make it through this!  Trust Him and believe that He can work it out for you.  You might feel you are about to break beyond restoration.  You might feel you are all alone, but you are not.   Trust in the Lord,  He is the light while you are in your tunnel.  When you are going through, go to God!

Psalm 91:14-16 (The Message) ” If you hold  on to me for dear life, says God, “I’ll get you out of any trouble.  I’ll give you the best of care if you’ll only get to know and trust me.  Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side at bad times; I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.  I’ll give you a long life, and give you a long drink of salvation!”

Prayer

Dear LORD,  I am in a tunnel right now.   I trust You to bring me out. LORD, I need you to guide me through this brokenness and to bring me closer to Your light and Your way.  I refuse to give up because my hope is in You.  You are my light while I am in this tunnel; You are my light when I am going through.   Please forgive me of my sins.  Create in me a clean heart.  Even as I go through, I am already victorious because of You.  LORD, I love You and I honor You. In Jesus’ name I pray,  Amen!