While reading one of my favorite YouVersion Devotionals (for the third time), Day 5 of the devotional was so good, that I had to share.
Here’s an excerpt:
But my question then remains the same for all of us today: what are we losing by clinging to our comfort?
What are we missing out on because we’re so committed to avoiding pain and discomfort?
Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matt. 16:25). Jesus isn’t inviting us to a life of comfort and ease, but one of surrender and sacrifice. Our highest desire shouldn’t be for our will to be done, but for his will to be done. And Jesus is inviting us to die to our own lives, so we can live moment by moment, day by day—for him. To leave our cozy living rooms and safe prayers in order to know what it means to be broken for the sake of others.
By playing it safe, we risk missing something far more precious than our security and comfort. We don’t realize what blessings might be on the other side of God’s breaking…True brokenness before God isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily decision. Paul said, “I die daily” (1 Cor. 15:31). What does that mean? Every day, he chose to crucify his own desires so he could live fully for God’s. If you have the courage to pray this prayer, get ready. Get ready to know God, and be known by God, in a way you’ve not experienced before.
You can play it safe. But my gut is you want more than that. I choose different. I am a faith-filled, bet-the-farm risk-taker. I will never insult God with small thinking or safe living. If there are blessings on the other side of brokenness, then break me.”
Dangerous Prayers Devotional by Craig Groeschel
Powerful, right?
There’s almost nothing to say after that.
Yet, I want to bring this down to our situations and experiences as there is a tendency to imagine this sort of life is impossible for us.
The Reality of Single Living
As single women with fears, pains, and desires, it is often hard to visualize a life that entails daily breaking. We may already feel like we have been through enough hardship and wouldn’t want to add anymore no matter how well-meaning this may seem. We want our peace and comfort (and will guard that religiously…pun intended).
And it makes sense. It makes sense because dealing with our daily responsibilities and fears may crowd out certain truths. I have shared five below:
Five Biblical truths about being broken
These Bible verses are reminders of God’s plan for those he has called to himself.
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God loves us
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither our fears for today nor our worries for tomorrow-
not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Romans 8:38(NLT)
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God gives good gifts to his children
You parents– if your children ask for a loaf of bread,
do you give them a stone instead?
Or if they ask for fish, do you give them a snake?
Of course not! So if you sinful people can give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts those who ask him.
Matthew 7:9-11
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The breaking is for our benefit
“After seventy years are completed at Babylon,
I will visit you and perform My good word toward you,
and cause you to return to this place.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,
Says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil.
To give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:10-11(NKJV)
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?
Matthew 16:25-26 (NKJV)
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Serving God is a wonderful adventure
“Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally.
I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.
I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.
I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry,
hands full or hands empty.
Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it
through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
Philippians 4:11-13(MSG)
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It is ultimately about God’s will
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:9-10(NLT)
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