What does the Bible say about brokenness?

Pathway to divine strength

By Shawn Buckles

Embrace brokenness as a path to transformation. The Bible shows how acknowledging our limits opens us to God's healing, leading to renewal and deeper faith.

The Bible views brokenness as a state that can lead to spiritual renewal and closer relationship with God. Psalm 34:18 states, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." This suggests that God is present and comforting in times of emotional pain and brokenness, using such moments for growth and healing.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:17
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
For thus says the High and Exalted One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'
Isaiah 57:15

Summary

  • Brokenness in the Bible is linked with themes of repentance and the hope for divine healing.
  • It serves as a pivotal moment leading to personal and spiritual growth.
  • Scripture offers numerous examples where brokenness paves the way for redemption and closer communion with God.

Bible mentions brokenness in the following books:

  • Brokenness: The Heart God Revives (2005) by Nancy Leigh DeMoss: This book delves into the idea of brokenness as a blessed state, offering a pathway to spiritual renewal and deeper intimacy with God.

  • The Broken Way: A Daring Path into the Abundant Life (2016) by Ann Voskamp: Voskamp shares her personal journey of brokenness and how it led her to discover a deeply fulfilling life through giving oneself away.

  • Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Path to Joy (2001) by Larry Crabb: Crabb explores how our broken dreams can lead us to joy when we allow God to use them to deepen our relationship with Him.

  • Healing for Damaged Emotions (1981) by David A. Seamands: This book offers biblical guidance for healing from emotional brokenness, encouraging readers to find freedom through God's grace.

  • Beauty for Ashes: Receiving Emotional Healing (1994) by Joyce Meyer: Meyer discusses how God can transform our pain and brokenness into beauty, providing practical advice for those seeking emotional healing.

The Nature of Brokenness

In exploring the biblical context, "brokenness" encompasses more than just emotional distress; it often signifies a spiritual state that can lead to a transformative relationship with God.

Defining Brokenness

Brokenness in the Bible refers to a state of emotional or spiritual anguish. It’s often a result of life’s trials or our recognition of personal failings. This concept interacts closely with the divine, where a broken spirit is not something to shun but rather something that can be redeemed and purified.

Brokenness in Humanity

Humanity's experience with brokenness is universal; it touches every person regardless of status or creed. The Bible acknowledges this through numerous accounts of individuals who encountered personal despair and societal failures. These narratives aren’t mere stories but are a reflection of the crushed in spirit—a condition that the faithful can relate to across ages.

The Role of Sin in Brokenness

Sin is frequently at the core of brokenness, representing a rupture in the harmony intended by God. The fall of mankind is the initial breaking point, causing not only physical but spiritual fractures. Recognizing sin as a factor in one’s brokenness can be a step towards seeking God's restoration and embracing His grace.

God's Perspective on Brokenness

In the Bible, God's perspective on brokenness is a profound theme, indicating that He values a humble spirit and the acknowledgement of one's need for Him. This interpretation is pivotal to understanding how God engages with humanity's frailties.

What God Values

God does not esteem the things the world often glorifies, such as power or wealth; instead, He honors a contrite heart. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, as revealed in Psalm 51:17, which denotes that a spirit aware of its own failings and sinfulness is close to God's heart.

Contrition and the Broken

A contrite spirit brings one closer to God because it embodies genuine remorse and a striving for repentance. Through contrition, individuals recognize their imperfections and approach God for forgiveness and transformation.

Jesus' Message to the Brokenhearted

Jesus, in His teachings and actions, communicates directly to the brokenhearted. He declared that He came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18), illustrating God's love and desire to restore those who acknowledge their brokenness and seek His comfort.

Healing from Brokenness

The journey through brokenness often leads to an experience of healing and renewal. The Bible offers guidance on finding solace in the divine and understanding the journey toward wholeness.

Divine Comfort and Restoration

In times of brokenness, individuals frequently seek comfort and reassurance. The Bible emphasizes that God is near to the brokenhearted, offering restoration and peace. In Psalms 147:3, it is noted, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds," reflecting the promise of divine intervention in the healing process. The presence of God brings solace to the weary and offers a pathway towards restoration of the spirit.

The Process of Being Made Whole

The road to being made whole again involves not only trust in the divine but also patience and perseverance. The biblical principle captured in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him," encourages believers to maintain hope even during trials. The process of healing is a work in progress, a transformative experience that relies on a steadfast belief that through brokenness, one is being shaped and prepared for a purposeful future.

The Power of Brokenness

Brokenness often feels like a place of defeat but can become the ground where seeds of new life and spiritual growth find fertile soil. It's in these broken moments that individuals can experience profound spiritual transformation and a unique strength that arises from total reliance on grace.

Spiritual Growth Through Pain

In the journey of faith, pain and brokenness are not merely obstacles to be avoided but can be the very means through which people grow spiritually. The Bible suggests that spiritual growth often occurs not despite suffering, but because of it. For example, brokenness leads one to seek a closer relationship with God, as they discover the top Bible verses about Brokenness, highlighting how pain can bring a deeper understanding of one's need for God's power and grace.

Finding Strength in Weakness

The concept that one might find strength in weakness is deeply biblical. Scripture teaches that it is when someone is at their weakest that they can truly experience the power of God. As per GotQuestions.org, brokenness allows for God's strength to manifest in one's life, and in this acknowledgement of weakness, individuals find joy and peace that help them to overcome. The idea is not that one seeks out suffering but that, when brokenness happens, there's a wellspring of unexpected strength available to them.

Biblical Encouragement for the Broken

Biblical scriptures offer profound solace and fortitude for those feeling broken-hearted or crushed in spirit. They convey messages of hope and the promise of God's unwavering support.

Promises of Hope and Healing

The Bible is replete with verses that provide hope and healing for the broken. One such verse, Psalm 34:18, states, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." This verse affirms God's presence in moments of despair, offering comfort to those in pain. Similarly, Isaiah 41:10 encourages believers with the words, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Such scriptures underscore the commitment of God to restore joy and peace to His followers.

Biblical Examples of Overcoming Brokenness

The Bible also shares narratives of individuals who faced intense brokenness and overcame it through faith. One sees this in the life of Job, who, despite tremendous loss and affliction, remained steadfast in his trust in God and was ultimately restored. David, too, exemplified this in his psalms, often crying out to God in the depths of despair, yet always reaffirming his hope in God's salvation. These accounts provide tangible evidence of how trust in God's word leads to strength and resiliency in the face of adversity.

Living with Brokenness

Living with brokenness is often viewed as a journey that one continues despite the pain, finding purpose and meaning along the way. They discover grace in their plight and learn the value of surrender through their experiences.

Continuing the Journey

Brokenness doesn’t have to halt one’s journey through life; it's a path many follow toward self-discovery and healing. Psalm 34:18 reassures them, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted," which comforts many as they keep moving forward. It's about living with purpose, navigating through the challenges, and persisting in the race of life.

Embracing Brokenness with Grace

Embracing one's brokenness with grace is a form of surrender to the healing process, acknowledging the pain but also recognizing a greater meaning. In Isaiah 57:15, it is said that God dwells "with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit." People can find solace in understanding that grace is not the end of their story but a vital part of their journey's narrative.

Community and Brokenness

In the journey of faith, the Bible addresses how communities can come together in times of brokenness. It emphasizes the importance of shouldering each other's burdens and finding rest and healing through collective support.

Supporting Each Other

The biblical directive to "bear one another’s burdens" (Galatians 6:2) firmly establishes the role of community in an individual's healing process. When one person struggles, they are not left to face their trials in isolation. Instead, they are enveloped by the support and help of their community. This may come in forms such as prayer, encouragement, or physical aid, showing the multiplicity of ways a community can respond to someone's cries for help.

Collective Healing

Healing within a community is not just about individuals mending; it's about the whole body finding rest and restoration after collective hardship. As it's written in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, "Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion." This verse highlights the strength that can be found when people come together to support one another emotionally and spiritually. The act of one person supporting another isn't just beneficial for the one being helped; it fosters a spirit of resilience and unity within the group as a whole.

Conclusion

In the biblical context, brokenness is often depicted not as a state to be shunned, but as a pathway to deeper trust in God's plan. It can lead to a recognition of the need for God's grace and an opportunity for renewal.

"Before God can use a man greatly, He must break him," as is suggested in the discussion of Genesis 32:22-32 at Bible.org. This concept reinforces the idea that personal brokenness can result in spiritual growth and greater reliance on divine strength.

Healing from brokenness often involves the experience of God's love and comfort. It also involves individuals extending forgiveness to others and themselves. The Bible provides assurance that in the midst of suffering, one is not alone, as illustrated by 2 Corinthians 2:4-8 where Paul speaks of sorrow leading to repentance.

Ultimately, the scripture highlights that through brokenness, individuals may find a peace that transcends understanding, and a hope that extends into eternity. This is a reassurance for those who may feel cast aside, propelling them towards a future where they are renewed in spirit, as if being prepared for a far greater purpose.

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