One year ago this month Brokenness to Beauty: Transforming Your Brokenness into a Beautiful Life was published, going live on Amazon and other book outlets. Hundreds of books have been sold and from the positive comments I’ve received, scores of people have been encouraged in their journeys through the difficulties of life. By God’s grace this is just the beginning of many more people finding strength and encouragement to go on through their dark valley of suffering.
This was my purpose in writing Brokenness to Beauty, to lift up and strengthen those struggling through all kinds of trials in life. The verse of Scripture I use when signing my book is Hebrews 10:24: “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” I believe I have done this in Brokenness to Beauty.
It is not only in the good days of life that we can demonstrate “love and good deeds.” In our darkest days we can shine brightly for the Lord as we lean into him for strength and grace to go through each day. Our suffering, whatever form it may take, does not keep us from being a witness to the grace and love of God, of letting our light shine before men in such a way that they see our good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:26).
In fact, it may be that in the cauldron of suffering we have our greatest opportunity to demonstrate God’s grace and power to those around us. Else what did God mean when he said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)?
Speaking for myself, I know I need to learn to do what Paul declared he did: “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).
What would it be like to have the power of Christ dwell in us in the way Paul meant? We have the power of Christ dwelling in us as believers, but it is our own “strength,” our reliance on ourselves and our abilities, that hinders the power of God from being perfected in and through us for the benefit of others and the glory of God.
“The king is not saved by a mighty army; a warrior is not delivered by great strength. … Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness” (Psalm 33:16, 18).
“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness” (Psalm 147:10-11).
This is what Brokenness to Beauty is all about, pointing us to the Lord in our weakness, teaching us to wait on and hope in God and God alone. In him we find strength to put one foot in front of the other, day after day.
Are you struggling with something today? Do you know a friend or family member going through deep waters of suffering? I encourage you to order a copy of Brokenness to Beauty: Transforming Your Brokenness into a Beautiful Life. It is friends like you telling your friends about Brokenness to Beauty who have the greatest impact getting this book into the hands of those who need it most.
Brokenness to Beauty may be purchased online at Amazon Books, Barnes and Noble Bookstore, WestBow Press Bookstore and other online book outlets.
Let’s make good news for 2017.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Scriptures copied from https://www.biblegateway.com.