Dear Person Struggling with Brokenness,
I want to start out by saying that all people become broken and hit rock bottom at some point. My youth leader back home, Shane Williams, always says that when you hit rock bottom, the only place you can look is up. The point being: Look to God!
I struggled with brokenness around this time last year. I was in a relationship that I thought was great but realized how toxic it was once it was over. By no means was I perfect in this relationship, but I let it get in the way of the person I was. I spent many nights crying because I felt like I was constantly failing or wasn't good enough, but I thought that things would get better eventually. I thought we would be able to move past all the toxicity and be happy again.
I learned that I was wrong. It didn't get better. Nights would end with constant yelling and fighting on FaceTime, and I was drained all day the next day. My immune system was out of whack, which was odd because, other than the occasional allergies and cold, I really don't get sick, but I had a stomach virus and a double ear infection all within a month.
I was worn down from classes. I could feel myself being slowly pulled away from the one thing that gave me hope: my relationship with Christ. I was getting yelled at for going to Engage, church on Sunday, helping with the youth, and small group because "it took away from the time we had to FaceTime."
I was slowly being torn from my family. I didn't realize how bad it was until Thanksgiving Break last year. I thought it would get better after that, that maybe she and my family would finally get along. Again, I was wrong. It was when the relationship ended during Christmas Break that I realized how much of a relief it was to be out of the relationship, and how toxic the relationship was. I realized how it seemed like I was putting in all this effort and hope into something changing that I was physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.
I say all this to tell you that it gets better. Some of the key figures in the Bible faced brokenness. Jesus experienced physical brokenness through His death on the cross. The entire book of Job is about how one man glorified God though he lost everything.
One verse that helped me through that brokenness is Psalm 34:18, which says, "The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit (CSB)." This verse shows us that, throughout our brokenness, God is always there to help guide us through!
Remember that Jesus faced brokenness so that we could have eternal life. It is my hope that this helps you in some way, and if you're struggling with brokenness, you are in my prayers.
God bless!