This is not double talk: God wants us to live in both brokenness and wholeness simultaneously. Brokenness is allowing God to dismantle our old self-reliant thinking and tendencies to provide for ourselves apart from God. While wholeness is the process of surrendering so that God can fill those spaces with His new presence and the image of Jesus. This brokenness/wholeness cycle is a lifelong journey that leads to God’s joy and peace, showing up in both everyday life and through trauma
Problems arise when we are emotionally “broke” but not in a state of brokenness. While they may appear similar at first, the processes and outcomes are very different. Even if we don’t call it this, being broke signifies a collision with God that blocks our path to wholeness. This can happen when relationships or systems in our lives fail, leading to physical, mental, and spiritual loss. As a result, we may feel hopeless, unable to recognize God’s presence, and susceptible to the devil’s lies. Even while attending church and praying, our light may fade, leaving us in need of a swift turnaround
In contrast, brokenness allows us to feel our struggles—physically, mentally, and spiritually—while also seeing God’s hand in our pain. Instead of focusing on the extent of our brokenness, we begin to see how great God is, even if we must cry or moan our way through. David described brokenness: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17). God desires our brokenness because it leads to breakthroughs
People often enter brokenness during significant life events, like loss of a job or business, a mid-life crisis, or the loss of a loved one. Others may enter it through reflection and journaling. Brokenness creates a new normal, allowing us to discover treasures hidden within our struggles. God skillfully guides us through these challenging times before leading us out.
Consider a high school senior who excelled academically but suddenly fell into a pattern of disrespect and poor performance, no one knew why. Out of desperation, an uncle recommended sending her on mission trips to Haiti and India. Witnessing extreme poverty firsthand transformed her perspective. She returned with a newfound appreciation for her blessings and eventually earned a full scholarship to Oxford University, integrating missions and charity into her life. Brokenness reshaped her identity and filled her with God’s love
David’s life illustrates this transformation. He was “broke” after sinning with Bathsheba and attempting to cover it up. However, he entered a state of brokenness when he faced his sin and repented. This led to a breakthrough, freeing him from the torment of guilt and enabling him to worship openly and lead his people to greater victories.
Remember, brokenness is not a destination but a lifelong journey. If we remain in God’s hands and allow ourselves to be molded, we will navigate this path. No matter how wonderful we may feel, God loves us too much to leave us unchanged. Our scars from brokenness will remain, but God will see them as beautiful. By the end of Psalm 51, David’s hope and praise reflect the outcome of living in the tension between brokenness and wholeness. Let God redesign you.
God bless you!
Pastor Janice Fareed-Hardy
