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Showing posts with the label Spiritual Restoration

BROKEN BUT BELOVED — MEETING GOD IN THE PLACES WE HIDE

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  Text: Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” There are moments in life when the soul becomes too heavy to carry. When prayers dry up on our lips. When the heart feels like shattered glass—sharp, scattered, impossible to gather. These moments do not announce themselves politely; they arrive like storms, sudden and uninvited. And in such seasons, we often hide. We hide behind busy schedules. We hide behind laughter that does not touch the heart. We hide behind spiritual language, hoping no one notices the emptiness in our eyes. But God does. And what does He do when we hide? He comes searching—not with anger, but with tenderness. 1. The God Who Draws Close to the Broken Psalm 34:18 is more than a comforting verse; it is a revelation of God’s character. “The Lord is close…” Not to the strong. Not to the flawless. Not to those who seem spiritually perfect. But to the brokenhearted. In the original Hebrew, the word “broken” ( ...

Finding God in Failure: Why Falling Down Is Sometimes the Beginning of Rising Again

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  Finding God in Failure: Why Falling Down Is Sometimes the Beginning of Rising Again By Otun Stephen Gbenga | Philosopher & Theologian Life has a way of humbling us. One moment we feel strong, capable, unstoppable. The next, we find ourselves stumbling — betrayed, exhausted, broken, or simply lost. But failure is not the end. It is often the place where God meets us most intimately. Where our pride shatters, His grace shines. Where our strength falters, His power is revealed. Let’s explore how falling down can sometimes be the beginning of rising again. 1. Brokenness Is a Paradox of Strength Philosophically, we tend to see weakness as defeat. But history and Scripture tell a different story: the broken are often the ones God uses to reveal His glory. Peter denied Jesus, but through his repentance, he became a pillar of the early Church. Samson, blinded and defeated, had his greatest act of strength in surrender to God. Elijah, exhausted and despairing, heard God’s whisper and ...