Guest - Scott Rodgers
Help. I’m broken and I can’t get up.
‘Broken by God’—that’s a statement I’m hearing a lot lately. What does it mean to be broken by God? I’m not so sure that it’s something that God does as much as it is a place we find ourselves in.
I think there are two primary places of brokenness. First, brokenness can be the result of sin. We’ve messed everything up and now, life is just broken. Second, brokenness can be the result of surrender. We’ve submitted ourselves to the purposes of God so much that we are experiencing pain; the pain of selflessness, submission, being misunderstood, etc.
It’s critical we don’t confuse the two. We need to stop saying, “God is breaking me,” when we’re really just breaking ourselves by repeating destructive, sinful behavior. And, if you’re experiencing brokenness as the result of surrender, lean into it; you’re going through a process of transformation.
Help. I’m broken and I can’t get up. I’m flat on my back. My sin is great. Lord, please forgive me and restore me.
Help. I’m broken and I can’t get up. I’m on my knees. My surrender is great. Lord, please give me the strength to stay the course.
What are your thoughts or experiences with this topic of brokenness?
Visit 
Great thoughts, Scott.
Well said Scott. If only we are willing to allow God to work through both areas of brokenness. Sadly we often pull away rather than allowing our Father to work. There is healing on the other side if we rest in Him. He is the great physician, who desires the best for us.
I do not think you could have said this any better. Our God loves us so much that He is willing and well able to guide us through the times when our sin begins to deal with us. His grace and mercy are more than enough for us, but we must come to the end of ourself in order allow Him to fill us with His grace and mercy.
[...] Guest blogger Scott Rogers on being broken by God [...]
Great differentiation! The two experiences appear to be similar, and are often confused, but the causes are completely different! Our responses need to be appropriate according to the cause!
This may be one of the most overlooked and ignored issues in the Western Church. Somewhere along the way we’ve been conditioned to rely on self, hurry, and push through pain and particularly brokenness. One thing I’ve learned, whether it’s sin or surrender, is to ask God to fully show me all that He wants me to gain from being broken. Slowing down, listening, learning, and being on our faces is not a bad thing. And when we embrace being broken and take our time, He reveals more of Himself to us. And personally, that’s all I’m looking for–more of Him.
Great thoughts. Thanks for sharing you guys.
love it! i pray we stay broken in submission so we are not broken in sin!
Wow very true…I think I’ve definitely mis-recognized breaking myself through bad time management as God breaking me.
Thanks for the great post! God bless!
Yes–being broken is hard. Two books I’ve appreciated on this topic are “Broken in the Right Place” by Alan E. Nelson, and “Dark Night of the Soul” (St. John of the Cross)