Each experience changes us.
I just attended the funeral of my friend’s mother. Her mother was an influential piece of her and her family’s lives. Now that she is gone, what becomes of that piece, and the whole in their heart she left? It changes us, maybe a little, maybe a lot, only time will tell. On the internet you can read teenagers lamenting the fact they are bullied, have no friends, or feel invisible at home, and each of these feelings chip away at what these teenagers could become.
The children who survived school shootings or acts of violence at school or at home, will be forever scarred from the experience. The school will provide councilors, but what of the children who suffer in silence? What of the person who is watching cancer take their loved one day by day? Who will pick up the pieces of that changed life?
Friedrich Nietzsche said; “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” It turns out that he was right, according to Debbie Hampton.
She related that studies have shown that some trauma survivors report positive changes and enhanced personal development, called post traumatic growth (PTG). PTG refers to any beneficial change resulting from a major life crisis or traumatic event, but people most commonly experience a positive shift by having a renewed appreciation for life; adopting a new world view with new possibilities for themselves; feeling more personal strength; feeling more satisfied spiritually, and/or their relationships improve.
I love the part that says; feeling more satisfied spiritually. I would expect it is because during those times of traumatic events those involved have called out to God, and the reason they are feeling more satisfied is because He heard them and answered their cry.
Isaiah 65:24 – And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. He is always listening for our prayers, and He is already sending the answer, even before you are finished asking. James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
We are all damaged goods, but Jesus was sent as the perfect sacrifice so we could be forgiven, and then he could pick up all the broken pieces and make us better than new. We will be changed, and it will be for the better. Psalms 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He is the potter, the great physician, and the comforter. When we surrender to Him, we are in good hands, with our life, our broken hearts, and our souls!
There are a few of you who just have a hard time releasing control. Oh, you pray and beseech God for answers in your life, but when your prayers are done, you pick up your own broken pieces, and try to mend things yourself. Until you let go and let God, the results will probably look more like and abstract mosaic than a masterpiece.
As parents we need to teach ourselves that we cannot fix everything. There are things in life that our children must experience for themselves. If we supply them with the tools they need to cope with these times they will become stronger. What tools might they be, the Word of God. In its pages is all they will need to get through every situation, if you teach them how to become familiar with the Bible starting in their youth.
We as authors use personal experiences as inspiration for our writings. We take the broken heart, or the abandonment and transform them into written words. Let’s not be shy about also telling how we got help through those times, which made us the people we are together. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Psalms 121:1-3
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.
Jeremiah 17:14
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colossians 1:15-17
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalms 147:3
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalms 34:17-19