Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 2

In part one of this series, we began looking at the idea of being fragmented; broken people who allow the cares of this world crack us and leave us feeling incomplete and without. Then we looked at the hope of being made complete in Christ.

Let's reverse the train for a moment becasue there is something that we must address before continuing the journey from broken to complete. It's a truth you and I have to admit before we can move forward. 

We have all been a victim. Now, we don't stay here, but before we can move ahead we must acknowledge truth. Some wrong, abuse, or injustice has crossed our path and left wounds in our heart. We must acknowledge these areas in order for healing to occur. 

If we ignore the wounds, then we allow the power of their poison to continually flow through our hearts. We accept the injury and refuse the removal of the pain. It is like an infection buried in the depths of our heart. Although we think we have it so quarantined from the remaining parts of our life, we are wrong.  That one infected area is seeping out and tainting what is healthy. The only way to truly be free of its affects is to remove the poison. 

But how, we wonder?  

The first step is to reveal it (admit it). By doing so, it will shine a light into the hidden parts of the heart uncovering the unattended injury. Then once it is revealed, there has to be a process for healing.

He heals the brokenhearted
    and bandages their wounds.

                              Psalm 147:3(NLT)

So practically what does this look like? 

Prayer. Grab a notebook and write down all the unhealed "heart wounds" that come to mind. Then address the feelings that come with each. Finally, take the action steps needed for healing. This may look like counseling, talking with the offender, admitting personal fault, forgiveness, or something further that God reveals. 

    The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
       he rescues those whose spirits are         

    crushed.    

        Psalm 34:18(NLT)

3 

Now it is time to release the VICTIM mindset so that you can step into the WARRIOR role which God has already given you. 

    Yet in all these things we are more than        conquerors through Him who loved us.

                                   Romans 8:37(NKJV)

You are no longer bound by the circumstances of your injury, but through the name of Jesus you have power to overcome and become more than anything that has tried to keep you bound.    

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

                                       Romans 8:37(NLT)

Even after wounds have been revealed and healing has occurred, everyday presents a new challenge to live like we believe we have the overwhelming victory and are loved by God.  

How are you inspired and/or encouraged to face this challenge?

Read more in this series - 
Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 1
Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 3
Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 4
Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 5 

Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 1

Redemption and freedom are the theme of my blog and the daily theme of my life. Not that I have fully achieved, but each day I must choose to walk in the redemption and freedom that I have been given.

It is easy to let a negative mind, a bad choice, a busy life, an ungrateful heart, or in apt comparisons rob me from walking in the truth of who God says I am.

Do you know what I'm talking about?

It's the thief who comes to keep us striving and wanting affirmation.  The one who taunts us to juggle too many roles or laughs when we stay stuck in the shadows of dreams unmet. It's the weight of guilt, shame and fear that keep us paralyzed.  It's the not enough of this and too much of that which keep us in a constant tug of war.

Whatever the method used to keep us from walking in the truth, eventually we begin to crack. Then the cracks in us give way to insecurities and accusing voices which swarm our thoughts and overrun our life. It is as if there is a battle being fought in the heart and mind, and the aftermath leaves us fragmented.

If we let these fragmented pieces stand alone, they will continue to fight to achieve their own definition of peace and fulfillment, and the battle will only get more fierce.

But God has a better way. A way of freedom and confidence. A path to make our broken incomplete lives whole.

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you would no longer be their slaves. I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high.Leviticus 26:13NLT

Will we give God our fragments in exchange for His fullness?  Will we walk with our heads held high knowing that He has broken our bondage and cleared every accusation against us?

So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.  Colossians 2:10NLT

It will be a daily choice of surrender; a choosing to dismiss the lies and distractions which hinder us from the fullness of knowing who we are in Christ. Some days we will win and others we won't, but even then the truth remains: in Christ you and I are complete. We just have to determine if we will live like it or not . . .

Read more in this series - 
Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 2
Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 3
Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 4
Fragmented at Heart: Broken People Made Whole - Part 5

Locked Outside with a Hacksaw in Hand

WARNING: Some may find the following to be of utter ridiculousness. If that's you, I understand. There is a part of me which agrees with you, but for now there is a bigger part of me who still gets tripped up with the small things. Enjoy the laugh!  

Standing outside of a locked door hacksaw in hand and on the verge of tears because of hunger made me face the reality that community makes life better.

It's a truth that I know, but for some reason fight. 

I am a task oriented accomplishment driven person who often gets overwhelmed by the projects of my life because I look only to what my hands and abilities can do. This was the same when I returned home from a walk to find my husband gone to work and all the doors locked. 

Not a problem, I thought to myself, I'll just remove a screen from the window and hope the window lock is up. That wasn't so easy. I found that the screens only pop out from the inside.

Next option, there is always just removing the screen from it's frame. With that accomplished and only minor damage, the window was accessible. The only problem, it was locked and wouldn't budge. 

My reasonable side was stating the obvious: You know it's Saturday morning and there are tons of neighbors home who all have phones. 

My "grit" a.k.a. ridiculous stubbornness which doesn't want to ask anyone for help much less face the humiliation of being locked outside kicked in and thought up a few more entry tactics.

One of those tactics was of course prayer. You know, your normal "God please give the dog supernatural senses that he may be able to jump to heights three times his size and unlock the door," prayer. 

For some reason, unknown to me, that didn't work. Instead there was that pesky little voice of reason that once again noted the fact that my neighbors were all home and a phone call to my husband was much more likely to help that expecting my dog to gain supernatural powers.

Still I would have none of that reasoning. There had to be a way to get in the house that didn't involve anyone else.  Pry bars, screwdrivers, and yes even in a last effort attempt a hacksaw didn't work. I had to try one final prayer. Who am I kidding? It was more like a kid begging for toys in the middle of Walmart. 

In that less than holy moment what I received was what I had already know. I was not getting into my house without help. Reluctantly I dropped the hacksaw and headed over to wake the neighbors.  

The way I felt: imposing, shameful, and embarrassed.  The way I was received: welcoming, grace filled, and understanding. 

As you may have guessed, I did get in my home thanks to my gracious neighbors, husband and parents. As great as it was to be inside and finally get breakfast, it was even better to know that I do have community. 

There are people willing to help if only I'm willing to ask. Community really does make life better. 

Do you struggle asking for help? If so put the hacksaw down, and let me hear from you. 

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT