The Messy Table: A 7-Day Bible Plan For WomenSample

Better Than New

By Cindy Beall

It was a mild day in central Texas on January 9, 1993. I remember it well because that was the day I stood in front of the people I loved to proclaim my commitment to Chris Beall. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death parts us. Always and forever, I knew I would be his, and he would be mine. We would serve Jesus together and, in my mind, everything would work out perfectly. It just would.

However, one February morning close to a decade later would prove me a fool.

Within minutes of my husband walking through the door, my world crumbled as I listened to him confess his infidelity and pornography addiction. After a slew of questions, as well as long periods of silent weeping, I began to suffer from an onslaught of unbearable pain, suffocating despair, and waves and waves of grief. My desire to leave this world and meet Jesus face to face was powerful. Surely, I thought, that would be better than my present predicament.

That was 16 years ago.

Thankfully, God brought my husband and me through that fire, and we don't even smell like smoke (Daniel 3). The first thing God did was heal each of us from the inside out. Then, He was able to make our marriage better than new. He gave us a platform where we could shout, "You don't have to throw in the towel when marriage gets tough. Ask us how we know!" God has been more than faithful to redeem, restore, and reinvent two broken people. 

No matter what hopeless situation you’re facing today, know that God loves you, is with you, and longs to make you better than new.

Table Questions: 

1. How have you experienced God’s faithfulness in the past?

2. What seemingly hopeless situation do you need to surrender to Him today? 

3. Are you willing to let Him do the impossible?