Dear Brokenhearted:
I have been reading the Beth Moore book, “Get Out of that Pit.†I know many of you are also, and if you don’t have the book I suggest getting it. I had a sweet friend get it for me. I have only begun the book, but there is one sentence that made me weep. Beth was talking to her husband and he was wondering what he would have been like if he did not go through his difficult times, what type of person would he be, would he be better or worse? And Beth responded by saying,
“You’re a neater person healed than you would have been well.â€
Let that sink in.
You are better for what you went through. I too have been in the situation wondering how better off things would have been if I did not have children so soon, what would it have looked like if I actually used my college degree and got a real job, would I be doing bigger, better things for God if I had not fallen in my pit as a teenager? This morning while reading Beth Moore’s book, God gently whispered to me, you are a better person now healed. Wow.
Honestly, I am just now getting to the point of seeing that. I have been able to comfort others, have a more tender heart towards others, and sincerely pray for others because I know what it is like to hurt. The same is true for hurts you have gone through; you can minister to others I cannot because I have not been in their place. Praise God he is there no matter what we are going through:
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psm 34:18
Do you notice in this verse he does not say “he comforts the crushed in spirit,†NO he SAVES them.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psm 147:3
“Binds up their wounds,†you will not bleed anymore. I have the image of Jesus gently taking you in his hand and slowly wrapping you with a wrap to heal and bind up any “bleeding†that is going on in your life. Maybe it is anger, jealously, unforgiveness, whatever it is, Jesus binds it up and heals you.
Heals and Saves you. What more can we ask?
Oh yeah, we give glory to God through our wounds and we are better for being healed than we were before we were even broken.
Heavenly Father, thank you for my wounds. I know it has been a long journey before I have been able to say that, but I would not trade one day of it, not one painful moment, if I am better because of it. Help me to never forget what I went through. Please use my scars to your glory, and may the brokenhearted hear that you are the healer and savior. May this be the day, they hear your quiet, still voice saying, “Come, and I will give you rest.†Amen.
Laurel-I too have many scars. I can’t imagine how boring I would be without them 🙂 Your devotion today was so true and it just spoke volumes to so many who need to hear it. I did start reading Beth’s book and I just couldn’t get into it. Your words are motivating me to pick it back up and give it another try.
Blessings-
Jennifer
I just got this book yesterday and I’ve barely passed the first page and it is hitting home and hitting hard!
Thank you for sharing.
Laurel, this is so beautiful and so true. I don’t think that I would be where I am now without my scares.
Blessings to you, my sweet sister and friend…
BTW – did you read today’s snippet in the sidebar? I would say – very fitting to your devotion 😛
So beautiful Laurel, thank God for scars. Bless you always.
We are the sum total of our experiences. I am a much better person due to the trials and troubles that I have went through. Like you, it has taken me a while to get that. Thanks for sharing! Blessings!
Beautiful post, Laurel. I really enjoyed that book and found myself thanking God for my scars as well.
Blessings~
Laurel, this was beautiful! What really jumped out at me is that it is not just our experiences that we have gone through in life but the ones that we have allowed Jesus to heal that makes us better. That is a very profound revelation to me.
And now I am off to buy that book!
I, too, loved this quote when I read it. I also love how she differentiates between scars and wounds (Is it in this book? I can’t remember…) If it still hurts, it’s a wound, not a scar. Scars don’t hurt. If it’s still a wound, take it to the Healer. This whole concept has helped me SO much the past few months, to address things that I *thought* were scars- in the past, but were actually yet-to-be-fully-healed wounds. God is SO faithful!
Great post today!
Laurel,
I have had much brokeness my Savior has redeemed. It is true that I am able to understand and help others who are reeling from their brokeness. It is amazing that I can say , “thank you Lord” for my brokeness. Amazing I say..
Wonderful post. 🙂
Laurel,
What a great word to go with what the Lord has been teaching me this month. I have to share this with others…
Thank you for this contribution. We all need to be reminded that the trails, sufferings, and tribulations are meant to produce something better in our lives…
Blessings~
Mel…….
oh yes absolutely! I can relate to this without a doubt. It hurts when it happens but when you look back you can realise that there was a lesson in it PLUS the Lord disciplines and works those he loves…
When you are going through it it feels terrible, but thank God, I am now healed. (and went through all of the pain!)
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Beautiful post. It inspired me to post my thoughts on my blog. I pray too that God uses my scars for His glory! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Laurel, for sharing this about your walk. I too have many scars and believe that God uses those to reach out to others. Thank you again for sharing.
Blessings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.