Broken.
I really hate that word. I hate how it makes me feel. I hate how it means something that was once whole is now on the floor in pieces.
For months now I've been running away from the fact that I'm broken. I've been running away from the truth of my condition. I'm broken. And if you're broken, I want you to know that it's okay. That you don't need to be ashamed of your brokenness.
I'm here to tell you that you don't have to run away like I did. Being broken makes us human. It's an opportunity for God to come into our lives and build something even better. In case you need them, here are 5 reasons why being broken is okay:
1) It means you're living.
Just because you're broken doesn't mean you're anything less than human. Being broken means you took a risk, it means you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone. It means you took that saying, "Live life to the fullest," and actually did it. In my experience, being broken means you were pushed to your limits and now you're going to find out how much further you can go.
2) It's going to get better.
Remember this cliche if you must, "My current situation is not my final destination." Just trust me on this one, the strongest people I know are the ones that picked up the pieces of their life and carried on. It's going to get better. It may not be better tomorrow, or the next day, or the next month. But it will be. Just hold on; keep smiling and eventually you'll find healing.
3) It's an opportunity for growth.
Like I've said, being broken is a time when God can come in and build something greater. During this time, you'll learn a lot about yourself and God. Take this time to unplug for a little, go on a hike or go to the beach. Surround yourself with God's Creation and allow yourself to be still. It is normally after the farmer tills the ground and prunes a few unruly branches that the plant blossoms.
4) It's okay to feel emotions.
I know, for me at least, one of the hardest parts of admitting my brokenness was admitting I felt things. It was admitting that things bothered me. It was admitting that I was hurt, that I needed help. I'm here to tell you that it's okay to ask for help. Ask a friend, a mentor or, even better, God. It's okay to admit that you can't handle life on your own.
5) It doesn't make you any less human.
In fact, feeling broken, I think makes you human. It's part of life. You're not the only one that feels hurt and alone. You're not the only one that feels like the world is crashing down all around you, trust me. I know you're not the only one because for a very long while I felt that way too.
Being broken is nothing to be ashamed of, it's a part of life. If you're feeling broken or hurt or lost, you're not abnormal. You're human. You're experiencing something we'll all go through at one time or another. It may differ from one experience or another, but we've all felt lost or incomplete. And that's okay. We have hope that one day we'll be made whole. So, keep going. Keep picking up the pieces, because God's turning you into a beautiful piece of art with a unique story.
