"The Righteous cry out and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:17-18

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart- these, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17

"For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.'" Isaiah 57:15

Contrite: to crush, be crushed, be broken

God has been showing me that it is through brokenness that I am made stronger in Him. Through pain and sorrow, He draws me closer to Himself. Life isn't about getting what you want, having all your prayers answered, and living on a bed of roses. If we look to the Scriptures, we can see over and over again pain and suffering. But, we also see redemption, purpose, and praises. God is able to walk us through our pain and our trials. In fact most of the time, He carries us through. All we need to do is let ourselves crumble into His hands. It is there that He dwells. Do you see that in Isaiah? So where can we remain in His presence? It is in the midst of our pits, our valleys, our trials. When we are crushed from the weight of circumstances, He is there. I needed to hear this truth and this message today! I need to see that my brokenness has a purpose! To glorify Him and to grow closer to Him. To gain more wisdom of who He is. That is hwo we bring a sacrifice of praise. That is how we can lift up our hands in worship to Him. When we see that He has fashioned our pain for a purpose. He loves us so much! We cannot even fathom how much! He does not allow trials in our lives because He enjoys our pain. He allows these things to grow us, to get closer to us, to deepen our faith, and to glorify His name forever. So that is what I am doing today! I am rejoicing in my brokenness and in my pain! He is faithful and He is good! He loves me and will not leave me to walk through this alone! I love Him with ALL my heart! Without Him I would just be crushed and crumbled with no hope. But I do have Him and will not be utterly cast down! There is hope! I will rejoice!!!!!!!!!!!!!