Strength in Brokenness: Reflections for Assisting Others With Traumatic Pastsနမူနာ

God's Word Is An Anchor

Cody's childhood was marked by attending church with his parents, but the atmosphere at home painted a different picture. Neglect and prioritizing church affairs over family time left Cody feeling abandoned and unnoticed. The constant bickering between his parents contradicted any notion of a God-fearing household.

The stark contrast between his parents' Sunday persona and their actions throughout the week deeply impacted Cody's faith from a young age. Just as he was grappling with the news of his parent's impending divorce at the tender age of 13, confusion and heartbreak overwhelmed him.

As Cody began to adjust to the new reality of his parent's separation and navigate the complexities of custody arrangements, his mother introduced a new person into their lives. Tentatively, Cody allowed himself to trust and engage in conversations, only to be met with disappointment once again as his mother's relationship ended abruptly. The cycle of feeling defensive and sinking into despair repeated itself. Cody became rebellious against the things of God and refused to step foot in a church again.

The frailty and imperfections of others can sometimes lead people like Cody astray from their faith in God, but Psalm 147:3 speaks of God's ability to heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. How can we encourage others like Cody to seek the Lord's healing in their pain?

Building authentic relationships and demonstrating Christ-like love are more effective than judgment in drawing people closer to God. Believers are encouraged to be a living example of Christ's love, seeking opportunities to support and encourage others regardless of their church attendance.

John 13:34-35 says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." This verse highlights the significance of loving one another as Jesus loved us. It is through our love for one another that the world can witness our discipleship and draw closer to God.

We are not immune to divorce, failed relationships, and rebelliousness. Living in an ungodly culture presents us with countless distractions and temptations that can lead us astray from God's truth. In such a world, it is crucial that we pay the most careful attention to what we have heard, referring to the teachings of God's Word. By doing so, we guard ourselves against drifting away from His ways.

In the context of being reminded that we are all prone to sin, Hebrews 2:1 highlights the reality that even as believers, we are susceptible to the influences of the world and our own human weaknesses. It acknowledges the potential for drifting away from the truth and becoming disconnected from God if we are not intentional in our faith.

As Cody's mother witnessed her son drifting away from God and recognized her own deviation from God's promises, she made a deliberate choice to anchor herself in the truth of God's Word. With fervent prayers for Cody's well-being, she adorned their home with scriptures, posting them throughout the house and even on Cody's bedroom door, despite his initial rejection of them.

By paying careful attention to God's Word, Cody's mother equipped herself with the spiritual tools necessary to pray Cody away from an ungodly culture. She meditated on scriptures to discern between what is true and what is false, what is righteous and what is deceptive. God's word empowered her to stand firm in her faith and make choices that honor God, despite her previous mistakes.

Today, let us be reminded of the importance of paying careful attention to God's Word. As we encounter the influences of an ungodly culture, may we be anchored in the truth and guided by the principles we have learned from Scripture.

Let us remain vigilant, guarding our hearts and minds, so that we do not drift away from God's truth.

Romans 12:9-10 says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." This passage encourages Christians to exhibit genuine and sincere concern for one another. It calls for devotion, honor, and a rejection of judgment.

Sincere love is shown by hating evil and embracing the good. Let us be devoted, honoring one another above ourselves, and rejecting judgment. Together, we can support the broken.

Let's end our devotional in prayer:

Heavenly Father, help me to pay the most careful attention to Your Word first and foremost. Give me a hunger and thirst for the Scriptures, that I may find wisdom and guidance for helping others who are broken. Strengthen me to stand firm in my faith and make choices that honor You despite what others believe. May Your Word be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path so, I can cultivate a character that pleases you and impacts those around me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.