The Flawless Power in a Fractured Life: Why Your Brokenness is God's Chosen Place

I learned today.....

Why do we so often judge a person, or a place, by its outward condition rather than its core purpose? I recently went on an extended, intensive journey—a period I would describe not as a vacation, but, at times, a life-and-death valley filled with great lows and pleasant highs. During this season, I needed a stable living situation for a full month, so I booked a suite near my planned activities, prioritizing function over luxury.

Upon arrival, my immediate thought was that it had the distinct feel of an older property; the expected "new hotel smell" was absent. It certainly lacked the polished luster of a high-dollar hotel, yet the key difference was immediately apparent: this establishment, while offering minimal amenities, was fully equipped for daily life with a full-size refrigerator, stovetop, and guest laundry.

Crucially, it also provided a complimentary shuttle service, an invaluable amenity that helped me navigate the area without extra cost—a practical feature often missing from even the most expensive competitors.

The gravity of this period meant that what affected me rippled outward, powerfully jolting my parents, children, and closest loved ones. In these moments, we witness people's true character revealed—who will step up and who will retract. This assessment of human nature can be more life-changing than the original trial itself, revealing both deep disappointment from those closest to you and profound gratitude for the few who had no obligation to help, but showed up anyway.

When such severe challenges hit, whether they are yours directly or those of someone close to you, they force an immediate pivot—a fundamental shift that reshapes everything in your world. Been there?

Naturally, a great deal happens in our lives when we are in a "valley" experience. My constant, unwavering source of strength and trust has always been in God; not a single person who knows me would ever doubt that. This conviction gives me a deep-seated comfort through everything, even the things I cannot comprehend. While I've certainly experienced a mix of high and low emotions during this time, I remain surrounded by prayer and enveloped by the comfort God provides.

If I had possessed the energy and mental bandwidth to move to a better hotel, I likely would have sought out a slightly nicer hotel. However, the reality of being five hours from home and navigating this serious situation alone without a car meant that relocating was simply not a feasible option. Not by myself.

Something shifted today when God spoke to my heart. I know some people would have taken one look at this place and immediately said, "Absolutely not, we aren't staying here very long," finding a number of excuses to leave. A few of those same thoughts went through my mind as I walked to my room that very first day. There were areas where the paint didn't match, old holes in the walls were patched, the upgrades simply were still under construction. These are the cosmetic flaws you notice right away—details I believe many people would be easily snubbed by.

Yet, this experience has been a powerful reminder that value is not defined by surface appearances. This place, lacking the outward polish, is providing exactly what I need: a functional, reliable base during a crisis. It reminded me greatly of the Lord:

1 Samuel 16:7: "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"

Having settled in for a couple of weeks, I’ve found a deep comfort in this place. Any thought remotely negative has been replaced by the warmth of familiar faces, genuine smiles, and the casual, easy conversations we share. The staff's kindness and genuine conversations have been truly extraordinary. It isn't a matter of business professionalism; their attentiveness feels deeply personal, like family, creating a layer of protection and quiet reassurance I craved during this time.

The Lord often chooses the unassuming and overlooked to accomplish His will. 1 Corinthians 1:27 states,

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."

1 Peter 3:3-4 encourages us to focus on internal worth:

"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."

And that's when God's message became clear: He doesn't discard us or run from our messes—our own cosmetic issues, deep valleys, hurts, and pains. Even when we are visibly undergoing the messy process of restoration, He never changes His address, nor does He look at us as damaged or "no good."

God sees us not for the flaws we present today, but in the perfection of our future selves. His perspective is entirely driven by His wisdom, which, as scripture teaches, "calls into existence the things that do not exist" (Romans 4:17). He doesn't see the damage, though He is actively healing it; He doesn't see the "ugly," though He is correcting it. Instead, He sees the final, completed work—the finished masterpiece. This humble hotel, despite its patches and mismatched paint, is still a reliable shelter; similarly, we are still His beloved, valuable children, even when we are patched, worn, and in need of extensive repairs.

Psalm 147:3 speaks directly to His tender care:

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." 

He acknowledges the wound, yet His focus is on the mending. Philippians 1:6 gives us assurance of His commitment to completion:

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." 

Our current state is temporary; His good work is certain. Most powerfully, Romans 8:38-39 confirms His enduring presence, regardless of our state:

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

 He sees the finished masterpiece, and He never changes His address, because His dwelling place is you.

The disappointment caused by those who retracted instead of engaging during our time of crisis can often be more painful than the trial itself. It forces us to confront the failure of human trust, but in these moments, our task is not to dwell on the human failure, but to anchor ourselves in divine faithfulness. We must consciously choose forgiveness and release the expectation that others will be our source of provision or strength.

As the ultimate example of choosing the humble and sustaining the weak, God provides the grace needed to let go of bitterness toward those who let us down. We are called to entrust our pain and their inaction to Him, finding peace in the truth that He is the only constant. The Lord sustains the humble and is the only One who promises to never retract His presence or His help, regardless of our circumstance.

Psalm 118:8 advises against placing our ultimate trust in people:

"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." 

This reminds us that human beings will inevitably fail, but God is our unfailing source. Psalm 34:18 offers comfort in abandonment:

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." 

When we feel crushed by the anything in life, we are promised God's closeness. Colossians 3:13 gives the directive for action:

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." 

Ultimately, the most truth revealed in the valley is not the failure of human beings, but the unconditional, booming constancy of God's love. While we were rejected and left alone by those we trusted, His provision was present in the simplest, most unexpected places—the sturdy roof of a humble hotel, the kindness of strangers, and the quiet comfort of the Holy Spirit.

This faithfulness is not earned by our performance; it is the essence of His nature. We must remember that His love was settled not after we had cleaned up our lives, but while we were still sinners, steeped in our own failures and messes (Romans 5:8). If God loved us enough to give His Son when we were His enemies, how much more will He sustain us now that we are His children? He never changes His address or looks at us as damaged goods.

Instead, He continues to see the final, perfected work He began in us, calling into existence the person we are meant to be. This is our constant anchor: in the midst of every rejection, every lack, and every growth spurt, His grace is more than sufficient.

2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

The Unfailing Anchor in a Broken World

I sincerely hope you aren’t navigating life without Jesus. Maybe you’re not struggling today, but the world we live in is undeniably harsh and increasingly complex. We are surrounded by suffering, lack, and sickness; we face job loss to machines, government overreach, and injustice from the top. We see blackmail in politics, pharmaceutical giants making billions, and true cures being hidden. Governments fight battles while innocent people bear the real cost, while the powerful live safely in bulletproof homes. It is simply not a fair world.

If you feel alone or overwhelmed today there is a Hope greater than any Hope waiting for you!

A Prayer of Salvation

If you wish to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can pray this prayer:

"Dear God, I know that I have sinned and need a Savior. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, who died on the cross for my sins and rose again. I confess my sins to You and ask for Your forgiveness. I invite Jesus Christ into my heart and life right now to be my Lord and Savior. Guide me and help me to live for You. Thank you for Your unconditional love and the gift of eternal life. Amen."

He will never abandon you and is closer than any friend!