Those who are brokenhearted are also broken in their personality. They’re unable to function the right way because of their wounds. They’ve been deeply hurt and are unable to move beyond their past or pain. It’s so important that we don’t park at the point of our pain and stay there for the rest of our lives. God is the author of new beginnings, and whether we’re wounded because of our own sin or someone else’s, we are the only ones who can decide whether to move on or stay parked. I want to encourage you: take your life out of park and start moving forward toward the great future God has for you. The apostle Paul is a great example of someone who kept shaking off the past and pressing forward. He moved past his own sin, the persecution he received from others for simply trying to help them, unfair imprisonment, beatings, abandonment, and countless other painful things. He also moved past his own imperfections in his daily walk with God and said that letting go of what was behind was his determined purpose in life. When we’re hurting, moving forward isn’t easy because our mind and emotions are telling us to just give up. Although change isn’t easy and is often painful, we have only two choices—to endure the pain of change, or to endure the pain of never changing. And in my experience, the pain of staying the same is always ultimately greater than the pain of change. If there will be pain either way, why not choose the pain of progress? To keep going forward in the midst of personal pain takes a lot of courage. You may not even want to get out of bed in the morning, let alone be active or do what life requires that day, but if you live by God’s grace, making wise choices instead of following feelings, you can do it. Maybe someone you love repeatedly telling you, “You will never amount to anything,” but with God’s help, You can overcome those negative words. If those who should have affirmed you tore you down with their words, you too can overcome those negative words by focusing on what God says about you and meditating on His words instead. God says so many true and wonderful things about you, like the fact that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (see Psalm 139:14), you are loved unconditionally (see Jeremiah 31:3), you’re accepted (see John 6:37), and you are precious and honored in His sight (see Isaiah 43:4). His Word is full of truths like these that will build you up and renew your mind so you can think about and see yourself the way God does. I want to encourage you not to settle for less than the best life that God wants to give you. Maybe you’re in the middle of a testing season in your life right now, and the temptation to quit and give up is strong. Know this: with Jesus, you have what it takes to go through it and experience the freedom and wholeness on the other side…it’s not too late! PRAY: Heavenly Father, thank You for healing me where I’m broken and making me whole again, even in the places that I thought couldn’t be fixed. Please help me see myself the way You see me, so I can walk in the freedom and joy You have for me. In Jesus’ Name, amen
