The Courage to Heal: Exploring Brokenness and Biblical Healing
Have you ever felt broken? Damaged, incomplete, unfinished?
It can be a hard place to be. Brokenness is an all-encompassing word.
It can be physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual. And, brokenness can appear in different ways.
Signs of Brokenness
For some, it can show up as anxiety or fear. Perhaps you avoid certain situations or find yourself overly sensitive to certain comments or situations.
Some may need constant reassurance about their worth. Do you struggle with self-blame?
It can perpetuate a negative self-image and lack of confidence. Others struggle with excessive reservation, fishing for compliments, mood swings, or being quiet.
Difficulties in expressing feelings can cause emotional turmoil inside and lead to confusion and isolation.
Characteristics of a Broken Person
It’s understandable that one who feels broken would have difficulty accurately expressing themselves. After all, broken people can lack confidence, fear rejection, and struggle with their identity.
So, if you are feeling broken, know that it’s not just you. Many others have walked in your shoes before.
You are not alone.
Ways to Help a Broken Person
As Christians, we have a unique opportunity to offer hope and encouragement to those who are hurting. Here are a few ways to help.
Talk About Feelings
It’s hard to open up about painful experiences, but silence can be more damaging. Create a safe and comfortable space for them to express themselves.
Offer Practical Help
Simply being present and available to help with everyday tasks can make a world of difference.
Give Space and Time
It takes time to heal. Give the person time to work through the pain and find peace.
Validate Feelings
Validate their experiences and feelings. Try to understand from their perspective, and don’t be quick to dismiss their emotions.
Find a Way Forward
Helping them find a way forward can give them direction and instill hope for the future.
Brokenness in the Bible
The Bible often speaks of brokenness. In Psalm 51:17, we see that “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” The idea of brokenness shows up elsewhere in the Bible too.
In its simplest form, brokenness refers to a state of being tired, physically beaten, or emotionally broken. God’s Healing in Brokenness
God’s heart is to mend what is broken.
Isaiah 61:1 says, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” The Holy Spirit is the one who can bind up our brokenness.
The Scripture offers life-changing counsel and guidance. We can learn from His words how to better deal with the wounds of our past and find meaning in our present.
Blessings of Brokenness
While it may not feel like it at the time, there are blessings in brokenness. It can lead to humility and reliance on God.
Brokenness brings life’s true lessons for growth. It also offers an opportunity to experience beauty in the midst of chaos.
When we see God heal our deepest wounds, they become our greatest testimony for His faithfulness.
In Closing
Brokenness is a part of our human experience. While it can be uncomfortable and challenging, we can find hope in the knowledge that we are not alone.
As Christians, we can offer each other a hand to hold when we feel overwhelmed, and the assurance of a God who loves us and wants to heal us. Find comfort in knowing that brokenness can lead to a dependence on God that can only bring growth and peace.
Brokenness and Mental Illness: Understanding and Healing
Mental illness can be a difficult topic to discuss. It is often stigmatized and misunderstood, leaving those who suffer feeling isolated and alone.
What is often not talked about is the connection between brokenness and mental illness. Many people with mental illness feel like they are not whole, not perfect, and like they have to hide in order to appear “normal.”
Understanding Brokenness in Mental Illness
The stigma surrounding mental illness often stems from a misunderstanding of what it means to be broken. In many societies, it is believed that to be mentally ill is to be broken or incomplete.
This perception of brokenness can impact one’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Those with mental illness may also feel like they cannot participate fully in society and end up being excluded or discriminated against.
All of this can lead to a sense of hopelessness and abandonment.
Healing Brokenness in Mental Illness
At its core, mental illness is a state of being, not a choice. It is not a character flaw or weakness that can be easily fixed.
The journey to healing is a unique one, requiring a personalized approach. It takes time and effort to heal and requires support from loved ones, professionals, and the community.
It is essential to end the stigma surrounding mental illness. Instead of treating those with mental illness as broken or incomplete individuals, it is important to treat them with compassion and respect.
Education about mental health can help people understand that mental illness is not a choice, and it is not something to be ashamed of. This understanding can lead to more open and accepting conversations about mental illness and allow those who suffer from it to feel less alone.
Finding Hope in Brokenness: Challenges and Importance
Living in a world of brokenness can make it challenging to find a sense of completeness. Many people feel like they are constantly striving to make themselves whole, and like they are always falling short.
This is especially true for those with mental illness who often feel like their struggles are invisible to others. The importance of finding hope in brokenness cannot be understated.
Without hope, it can be difficult to see a way forward. Hope can be found in moments of completeness, even if they are fleeting.
They can be found in a sense of purpose or in the connections we make with others. It can also come from finding ourselves, our passions, and our inner strength.
It is essential not to give up in the face of brokenness. While it can be easy to feel defeated by our struggles, it is important to remember that brokenness can lead to growth.
Adversity can refine us and make us stronger. In the words of the poet Rumi, “The wound is the place where the light enters you.”
We can find hope in our brokenness.
In Closing
Brokenness is an inherent part of the human experience. It can manifest in a variety of ways, including mental illness.
Understanding the connection between mental illness and brokenness is essential to healing and finding hope. By ending the stigma surrounding mental illness, we can create a more accepting and empathetic world.
Finding hope in brokenness is crucial, even if it seems impossible at times. It can lead to growth and provide us with a sense of purpose.
Despite its challenges, we must continue to strive for healing and hope. In conclusion, brokenness is a universal experience that we all encounter at some point in our lives.
It can manifest in different ways, and it can be challenging to navigate. It is essential to acknowledge the signs of brokenness in ourselves and others, offer practical help, give space and time, validate feelings, and find a way forward.
In understanding brokenness in mental illness, we can help reduce stigma and provide support for those who need it. Finding hope in brokenness is essential for growth, moments of completeness, finding oneself, and not giving up.
Despite the challenges that come with brokenness, we must remember that healing is possible, and there can be a beautiful outcome from the pain. By embracing our brokenness, we can open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and learn to flourish in the midst of it.
We must be kind to ourselves and others, because at the end of the day, we are all just looking for ways to heal our brokenness.