I am not going to lie.  The last week has.been.tough.  You don’t have to look far whether you are in the U.S. or in a third world country (like Haiti) to see brokenness.  Whether it’s physical, relational or spiritual.  We have seen much brokenness in this life.

The things happening this week in my life (part here in Haiti and part back in the states) weigh heavy on my heart and its often too difficult to hold back tears.  Anyone going through situations of brokenness can attest to the feelings.  Looking back through the timeline of life, I am sure we can all recall a time of broken, heavy, difficult situations.

It can be a defining moment in people’s lives.  One that can swing a person into a downward spiral or bring them to an even greater strength.  What we experience has the power to alter our lifestyle and behavior.  The aftermath could leave a person in bitterness, hurt, resentment, denial, abandonment, or “you name it”.  While the other side of the coin may bring someone closer to peace, prayer, forgiveness, and hope.

I know that everyone’s situations is different, but each individual’s pain.is.real.

Hebrews 5: 7 and 8 says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” 

It is a good reminder that Jesus was human and what he went through was r-e-a-l to him.  If Jesus, being sinless and perfect, was broken, then that means that when I encounter struggles, it is not misguided to feel broken.

What can I learn from what he went through? How did he deal with this ever present and real struggle?

I had a friend post this recently on facebook…

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.   – Isaiah 40:30

Typically I would read through this verse and not bat an eye.  It clearly states that if we trust in the Lord then we can run and not grow weary!  What happens if I don’t feel like I am running… maybe I feel like I am crawling?

This verse is easy to do… except when it isn’t.**

It’s easy to have full trust in the Lord except when it isn’t easy.  When things are going great, no problem.  What about when it’s difficult?

Cue the accident…

While all this stuff was going on in my life, no sooner do I end up having a motorcycle accident on the streets of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.

I remember just after falling cringing with an audible sound of arrrrrrg. For that moment, I felt the pain of the crash.  A clearly distinct moment, I sat feeling the pulsating pain coming from the cuts and bruises on the right side of my body. Probably less than a minute went before a few Haitians came over and grabbed the bike off of my body.  Then they grabbed my hand and lifted me up.  All of a sudden I was on my feet!  Surprised, I started to move my arms and legs to see what was still working. I could stand… and… I still had strength!  Strength I thought I didn’t have.

When the Haitian guy lifted me up, it gave me strength.  It was just what I needed. It made me realize I would be able to keep going.  Maybe that’s a bit what it’s like when we trust in the Lord.  He is right there reaching out his hand  for us to grab it.  For us to grab hold and trust in him to pull us up.

 

If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. – Psalm 34:18 MSG

After the Haitian helped me up, I had renewed strength. I was no longer in pain by myself on the side of the road.  In the same way, our savior is there to help us catch our breath.

Charles Stanley said, “Often times God demonstrates His faithfulness in adversity by providing for us what we need to survive. He does not change our painful circumstances. He sustains us through them.”

I choose to take a new grip, to grab hold and trust in the Lord!

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. – Heb. 12:12-13

When we are weak, he is strong.  While we will most certainly have pain and brokenness from circumstances in our life, many times beyond our control, Jesus will sustain us in the midst of them.

Let your requests be made know to God, with thanksgiving,  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

It is difficult to write this blog, and it comes with continual processing, reflection and honesty.  We have a choice of how to live our life.  It isn’t easy but he promises to never leave us or forsake us (heb 13:5) so I continue to hold fast to trusting in the Lord as my strength.  While I don’t completely understand it, I am learning.

 

 

** Hey, it sounds like something John McHoul would say 😀