Understanding how brokenness relates to sin is important for every Christian. But dealing with brokenness caused by suffering is different. We don't pray for our kids to experience heartache before bed. And those inspiring quotes we see online rarely tell us to embrace our shattered dreams. Even when we're praying deeply, it's hard to ask for difficult experiences. But surprisingly, it's often through tough times that God strengthens our faith, helps us let go of our selfish desires, and gives us the power to do amazing things that show His greatness.
“Jesus said, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’ – contrary to what we would expect, brokenness is the pathway to blessing! There are no alternative routes; there are no short-cuts. The very thing we dread and are tempted to resist is actually the means to God’s greatest blessings in our lives.” – Brokenness, The Heart God Revives, by Nancy Leigh Demoss
Scripture and history are full of stories about real people God used to change the world—not despite their hard circumstances but because of them. Here are five examples of how God’s power is made perfect through the lives of broken people.
1. Mary Prince (1788-1833)
Mary Prince was born a slave in Bermuda in 1788. She was separated from her family when she was young and treated cruelly by her new masters. They even stopped her from going to church. But Mary didn't give up hope. At 29, she secretly joined the Moravian Church and taught herself to read.
In 1829, Mary found out that slavery was illegal in Britain. So she escaped from her owners and found safety with the Monrovian church community. They helped her write a petition against slavery and took it to Parliament. Even though Parliament didn't listen because of lies told by powerful slave owners, Mary kept fighting.
In 1831, Mary wrote her autobiography, telling the world about the pain and suffering of slavery. Her book sold out three times and made her former master angry. He even sued her for lying about him. But Mary's story inspired many people to stand up against slavery. Two years later, Parliament passed a law to end slavery, freeing over 800,000 slaves in British colonies. Mary's suffering helped to bring an end to slavery.
2. Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983)
Corrie ten Boom grew up in the Netherlands in a loving Christian family. When the Nazis invaded in 1940, she and her family helped hide Jewish neighbors and resistance fighters in their home. They risked their lives to save over 800 people until the Nazis found them in 1944. Corrie and her sister were sent to a concentration camp where they suffered greatly. Despite this, they shared Jesus's love with others in the camp.
After her sister died, Corrie was mistakenly released from the camp. Later, she learned that all the women left in her unit were killed. Corrie spent the rest of her life traveling and telling people about Jesus's love. She encouraged forgiveness, even for enemies. Her story, marked by suffering, inspired many to turn to God.
3. George Mueller (1805-1898)
George Mueller is known as one of the most faithful people in history, but his life didn't start that way. When he was young, he did many bad things like lying and stealing. His mom passed away when he was 14, but he was too drunk to find out until later. At 16, he went to jail for not paying his debts.
When he was 20, he went to a prayer meeting with a friend. That's when he realized he needed Jesus in his life. He felt sorry for the way he'd lived and decided to follow Jesus.
After that, George's life changed. He couldn't keep living recklessly because he loved Jesus too much. He wanted to help others and serve God. So, he started taking care of orphans. Over his lifetime, he helped more than 10,000 kids, giving them food, a place to stay, and education. He never asked for money from the government or others. Instead, he prayed to God whenever there was a need. And every time, God provided what was needed, sometimes in unexpected ways. All the money to care for the orphans came from people who wanted to help, guided by God's hand.
4. Nicky Cruz (1938-present)
Nicky Cruz went through a lot of pain and abuse from his parents who practiced witchcraft. Growing up with 18 siblings in Puerto Rico, the violence was so bad that he tried to kill himself when he was just 9 years old. His dad then sent him to live with an older brother in New York City when he was 15.
By the time he was 16, Nicky was living on the streets of Brooklyn and was part of a dangerous gang called the Mau Maus. He became their leader, known for his violence. But everything changed when his best friend was killed in front of him.
After that, Nicky struggled with nightmares and acted even more recklessly. He kept getting arrested, and people thought he was beyond help. But then, a preacher named David Wilkerson showed him love and told him about God. Nicky decided to follow Jesus, and his life completely changed. His transformation amazed everyone who knew him. Since then, he has been devoted to serving God and helping others.
5. Joni Eareckson Tada (1949-present)
When Joni Eareckson was 17, she had a diving accident that left her unable to move her body from the shoulders down. At first, she felt like God had abandoned her.
Joni didn't think she could ever live a normal life again, and she was right. It's been 55 years since her accident, and her life has been anything but normal. She went through a lot of hard therapy to try to get better, and during that time, God helped her to feel better on the inside.
A few years after her accident, Joni's story became really famous when they made a movie about her bestselling biography. Since then, she's become well-known all over the world for helping people with disabilities. She started a ministry called Joni and Friends that helps families with special needs all over the world. She's written lots of books and has a radio show that many people listen to every day. Joni and her husband, Ken, have traveled to lots of countries to help people with disabilities feel hopeful and to give them practical help.
Conclusion
Don't fear over your current troubles because only God has the incredible ability to work through any kind of brokenness you may be experiencing. Whether it's emotional pain, physical suffering, or any other challenge you're facing, God is faithful and trustworthy to lead you forward in life. His faithfulness extends beyond our understanding, and He can turn even the most difficult situations into opportunities for growth, healing, and transformation. So, instead of dwelling on your problems, trust in God's guidance and believe that He has a plan to bring you through your difficulties and into a brighter future.
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