Broken and Wounded
Above anything else, God is most interested in the restoration and renewal of the human mind, body, and spirit back into the image of the Son, Jesus Christ. This grand restoration project begins first and foremost within the depths of the human heart.
The goal of true Christian spirituality concerns the exposure of dark areas of our hearts to the light of Christ:
“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)
At the end of the day, this light is meant to bring healing and fullness. There’s a saying: “What God reveals, He intends to heal.”
God orchestrates our experiences and circumstances to reveal to us our personal areas of brokenness. This is why we should not be surprised when “fiery ordeals come on us to test us” (1 Peter 4:12). Christ is going to battle for us in our hearts to route the enemy and bring lasting victory and abundant life.
The human heart must be opened for God to do His greatest work in us. Pain and suffering are difficult, but are ultimately used by God to reveal deeper areas of our hearts that need healing. We may even feel like the “man of suffering” from Isaiah 53:
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:3-5 (NIV)
This passage reveals an essential spiritual principle: what may have the initial appearance of evil will eventually be used for good. This “good” is the healing and fullness of Jesus Christ in the human condition. When we feel emotionally or spiritually pierced, crushed, in pain, rejected, despised or held in low esteem, a deeper divine healing operation may be taking place. And this healing will ultimately change not only us, but others.
“For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:5-6 (NIV)
“We boast in the the hope of the [manifestation] of God. Not only so, we but also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3 (NIV)
The more I grow with God, the more I realize that my distressing circumstances, disappointments, or heartbreaks only have as much power as I give them. It is a matter of believing what God has spoken - that all things work for the manifestation of God in our mind, body, and spirit as we strive to love God and stay in the flow of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:28). This is so difficult!
Are you suffering? Are you in mourning? Do you feel tired, broken, or weary? Take a deep breath and rest in the love of God. We have a Friend who is always with us, who will never leave or forsake us. Be honest with God about what you are feeling and feel the wind of the Holy Spirit over you. Know that your heart has been broken so that God can bring deeper life, healing, and abundance. Remember these words:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NIV)
