Do you know people who remind you of broken dolls that need to be returned to the toy factory?

People so ashamed because of their wrong choices that they can’t even lift their heads? 

So brokenhearted from their mess-ups that their spirit is crushed?

Is this how you would describe yourself?

God understands our crushing discouragement and shame. Psalm 34:18 (ESV) says,

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

The Amplified Bible defines “crushed in spirit” as “contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin.”

No matter what else we’re dealing with, when shame and turmoil are added to the mix, life is even more difficult. Yet when we’re truly sorry for how we’ve grieved our heavenly Father, we can experience peace, knowing He’ll do whatever it takes to help us get right with Him.

What would happen if we asked God to show us how He sees our sin – how He can hate our sin but still love us? What if we asked Him to help us despise our sin as much as He despises it – and accept His love and mercy as freely as He gives it? 

Would we feel less broken if, rather than dwelling on the mess we’ve made, we asked our heavenly Father to help us make things right with those we’ve hurt with our sinful choices? How could it further our healing if we prayed for those who are also brokenhearted because of the choices we’ve made?

Life can be hard – especially if we’re trying to live without God and the supportive people in our lives. I can relate to the shame that comes from living in ways that dishonor God. I know how the enemy uses shame to keep us from those we need to be around – especially those at church. Please don’t let Satan get away with this.

For most of my life, I felt like a broken doll. So broken that the toy factory probably would have tossed me aside, believing I wasn’t worth their time. Thankfully, I found healing. I found wholeness in Christ’s mercy.

I don’t know most of you, nor do I know your circumstances. I do know we all face painful or embarrassing consequences for the choices we make. Whatever your situation, I hope you’ll go to God, express true sorrow for your sins, and receive healing in His gentle and powerful nearness

What about you?

• Do you know any broken dolls?
• Are you (or have you in your past) been crushed in spirit due to the choices you’ve made?

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