Have you ever broken a bone? During the healing process the body does some amazing things as your bones repair. It might take a while but after healing the bone is stronger and denser where the fracture occurred. There is also a change in our mindset. We developed memories of the challenges we faced as we tried to live a normal life and function with our broken bones. Before the fracture everyday tasks were taken for granted and things that were once completed with little effort are now challenging. We might have changed the way we brush our teeth, put on our clothes, or even changed something as simple as the way we walk.
One thing for sure is that we learn from our mistakes. The combination of the pain and the inconvenience of not being able to complete simple tasks causes us to take precautions. We are more cautious of the activity that broke our bones in the first place and take extra measures to make sure it doesn’t happen again. If we fell and broke a bone we pay closer attention to our surroundings, especially when the ground is wet or slippery. If the fracture was sports related, next time we make sure we wear the proper protective equipment and follow the rules.
Oddly as it sounds there is a good side to breaking a bone. Painful, YES!!! But it brings about humility and adversity makes us stronger. Sometimes being broken is the only way you are going to be valuable and serve a greater and useful purpose for the Lord. Sometimes you do things that you are ashamed of. Maybe you have done something that has caused you to be embarrassed or something that you realize is wrong. In this case shame is a good thing because you are aware of a problem and now you can fix it. Don’t beat yourself up over it. That’s exactly what the devil wants you to do. He wants to attack you with sin, guilt, and shame. If it’s a sin, seek God’s grace and mercy. Repent, pray, and if needed get around a good group of people to help you get through it. Ask for the strength to deal with the guilt and shame. Remember Jesus died for you and your sins. There is no reason to still feel guilty and carry a burden when you have already been forgiven. You have been broken and hopefully you will never do that again.
One thing that a bad decision gives us is a personal experience. We can use that experience to advise others so that when they break, they won’t stay broken. During this process we must be careful. Even though our bones are healed and won’t break in the same spot the surrounding areas are weak and will break. Our faith and strength might be strong in one area, but we must continue to stay in God’s word. We must surround ourselves with other people who are strong in faith and can help us in our weak areas. Galatians 6:1 warns us “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”
Beautiful things can come from something that was once broken and is now reassembled. Take Mosaic art for example. Small pieces of broken glass or stone are assembled to create an image or piece of decorative art. The artwork is used for room décor or displayed in museums. Just because something is broken doesn’t mean it can’t be put back together again. Kintsugi is translated from Japanese and it means “golden joinery”. It is the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics with liquid gold. Once mended and the gold hardens the repairs are seen as beautiful. The master craftsman took something that was once undesired and useless, and made it valuable. He gave new life to something that was once discarded and considered worthless. That’s how Jesus, our master craftsman in heaven mends us. We may feel broken and insignificant but when we are put back together with the love of Christ our broken history will make us an even greater display of God’s favor and mercy. (He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3)
Stay blessed family. Remember to always motivate, encourage, and inspire. Jesus loves you. He always has and always will.
J. Finn