Does Broken Last Forever?

It's a little too easy to become anesthetized or insensitive to others' needs, especially in the culture we live in – at least in my neck of the woods. On one hand, society accentuates luxury, power, control, and success and offers plenty of opportunities to insulate ourselves from the hurts or stressors of this world. (Emphasize the word ‘insulate’ in your memory banks!)

We easily become self-focused. (It’s not always a bad thing – there are deadlines to meet, appointments to show up for, and schedules to adhere to, ‘people to see and places to go’ as the old maxim goes). Yet, there is a flip side. The media resources give us a constant stream of images of the impoverished, disenfranchised, wicked, and subjugated.  Racism, politics, murder, felonies, and every crime against humanity is constantly talked about, shared, and seen whether we necessarily want the network’s view or not.  We hear many, many prayer requests in our churches week in and week out. A mid-week prayer meeting alone could render a hundred requests. (God doesn’t miss a single one, Amen!) We see and hear so many calamities that we become desensitized to almost all of them, unless it directly impacts our home or those we love.

Someone asked/reminded me to pray for their cousin today. I ashamedly admit, I gave a standard response, “I sure will. What’s his name again?” Not good! I had prayed about this person’s situation before. It had been a few weeks. It had honestly slipped through the forefront thoughts my mind.  This gentleman lost his pregnant wife and his 3 year old son in a freak boating accident not long ago – approximately 1 month before. The family was in a pontoon boat – enjoying a great relaxing weekend. Unexpectedly, shockingly, and without any time to prepare, they were hit by a speed boat sharing the same quiet lake water. In a fraction of an instant – life changed forever! What a tragedy for this man and his wife’s family.

As the memory of events came back to my mind, my friend said to me, “I don’t know what to say. He’s just broken.” That comment hit me like a ton of bricks. My heart skipped a beat or two. I was overwhelmed with the concept of brokenness, and I also felt guilty for not being a more consistent prayer partner. (Life Moment: When someone asks me to pray, I want to do it wholeheartedly! It mustn’t just be mere words of support to the individual, but a holy petition to our heavenly Father through His son, Jesus! That’s serious communication, whether it be a couple of minutes or an hour!) To feel broken…aaahhhh, what a painful familiarity.

I hope to never be in the state of brokenness in my future, although I’d estimate that every Christian experiences it at some point in their life, all for various reasons. Yet, I do believe God is big enough, merciful enough, strong enough, and loving enough to help us survive it.

In my opinion, a broken person will begin to feel horrible about themselves. We should freely admit that we’re lowly creatures – the Christian, the human being. We’re a lowly creature serving a Holy and High God! It’s right that we need to be humble. It’s also right that we bow low to the One we serve. However, when we’re broken about a situation, this doesn’t mean that it’s wise to hate ourselves or hate the life God has provided. I think it is natural that as we draw closer to Almighty God, we become more aware of how human and how unworthy we really are.  We have mixed intentions and self-centered plans, and most of what we think and do is tainted with impurity. (It’s not a surprise to you or offensive I hope – to acknowledge that mankind is sinful!) Let’s be gently reminded that the world was here a long time before us, God is in control even when we are not, and He will continue this earthly dwelling place a long time after we're gone. God's kingdom isn't hinging on our ability to move in, take over, and save the day.

If you know someone broken or genuinely broken-hearted…Below are 10 Tips!

1)       Listen without interruption

2)     Share their pain, but gently remind them that they are loved by God AND you

3)     Pray together

4)     Encourage them to remain faithful to church – not to isolate themselves from God or people

5)     Encourage – boost their day by extending a hug, a smile, being a friend

6)     Point them to the Cross – try not to offer answers for which there are none

7)     At the right time, share with the person that God repairs broken people, broken spirits. He IS in the restoration business – full time! He is the true Healer. (It doesn’t mean people can be replaced, but it means God can pour out blessings in the future. He will offer grace).

8)     Keep a prayer journal – or remind yourself using your IPhone to pray for people at a future date.

9)     Help them understand that broken doesn’t mean useless - broken isn't forever!

10) Gently remind ~There is no brokenness in Heaven!

So…I encourage you to be more in tune to other burdens and sorrow. Most likely, if you’re open and observant, God will give you an opportunity this very week to be a blessing to the broken hearted!

Look UP my friends!