Once upon a time there was a woman who said “I am a former drinker, I was molested as a child, I had a baby out of wedlock, and I am divorced. How can Jesus use someone like me?”
The good news is that God can fix the broken. Matthew 11:28-30 reads, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. No matter how deep you’ve hidden the hurt, there is no where God can’t reach.
And once He has repaired that brokenness, He will use you to help others. Don’t believe me? Here are just a few examples:
1. Joyce Meyer was abused by her father as a child, and by her first husband. She is also a breast cancer survivor;
2. Irish pastor Tim Shields was a former homeless drug addict; and
3. World War II vet Louis Zamperine whose life the book “Unbroken” is based on was a former POW and alcoholic who had terrible nightmares about his ordeal until he heard Billy Graham speak.
These are just three examples of people who were broken until Jesus took them in His arms and gave them the joy they sought. He will do the same for you, no matter how deep the pain is you feel.
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God is looking for broken men who have judged themselves in the light of the cross of Christ. When He wants anything done, He takes up men who have come to the end of themselves, whose confidence is not in themselves, but in God. – Pastor/Author Henry Ironside
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Why would God allow such pain if He loves us? Sometimes we have to be so broken from the world it is only Him we see. You will then know His love is real. And once you are repaired, He will grow in you a need to serve others. To help those who do not know Him.
What might it be God asks of you? Maybe he wants you to teach small children, maybe he wants you to hold a Bible study for women who have gone through what you have. And just maybe, he’ll ask you to write books for Him.
By the way, the woman who asked the question in the beginning was me. He’s taken an insecure woman who wanted to hide in a shell and used her to write books, facilitate a women’s Bible study group, and speak in front of others. That’s His power.
And He’ll give you that strength also. Just life up your hands to Him. He’s waiting to know you’re receptive to His love.
If you or someone you know are in need of prayer this week, please let us know. We’d be more than happy to pray for you.
And if this post moved you in some way, please feel free to share it.