Joy is experienced in its fullness when we have walked through seasons of wilderness and brokenness. It is not manufactured by fleeting, temporal sources such as our achievements or the things we accumulate; money, status, prestige, prominence, or even the way others perceive us and the way we perceive ourselves.

The Bible describes joy as a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and calls followers of Jesus to rejoice in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). I find it mind-blowing that the Consuming Fire lovingly disciplines His children, burning away pride and self-reliance through the refining process of brokenness. Acknowledging that we are broken is a first step toward humbling ourselves and admitting that we need the Consuming Fire to rescue us from our own self-sufficiency.

I love how the Bible tells the stories of broken people who followed and obeyed Yahweh and experienced both His abundant blessings and His loving discipline. Joseph, Jacob, Hannah, and Elijah are some of the Old Testament figures whose stories resonate with me, along with the apostles Andrew and Paul in the New Testament. Their stories remind me that those Jesus calls to serve Him (whether seen or unseen) must guard their hearts against lingering pride. Pride turns our attention toward glorifying ourselves rather than God.

The lovingkindness of God (His CHESED) allows His people to be humbled before Him, for He is holy. Sanctification takes place as we learn to depend on Him rather than on our good works, recognizing that we cannot save or cleanse ourselves through our own efforts. Brokenness teaches us to rely on Him, depend on Him, and surrender to Him despite the pain and consequences of our poor or selfish choices. It also teaches us to trust Him through circumstances beyond our control, even when we have done our best and exhausted the options available to us.

September 2024. Photo by Cy Custodio.

God is sovereign. He knows the beginning and the end.

I keep bringing my questions and curiosity before God: “Lord, why do I keep receiving noes? Why do doors keep closing? Whenever I try to strive harder, my heart aches and breaks. I give my best and pursue excellence, so why does it still feel this way?”

I am reminded that striving for excellence is good, but learning to be still in Him is also essential. We may know many biblical principles and try our best to follow them, but are our hearts truly resting in Him, or are we still relying on ourselves? I am reminded that He is El Roi, the God who sees. He sees my efforts, and that brings me comfort, even when I experience rejection time and time again.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 51:17 NASB

I find comfort in knowing that I am seen and held by Him. The peace and joy I experience now feel like a tamed fire: tranquil, yet steadily burning.

Only His oil can fan that flame into an intense fire of worship, and only He, the Living Water, can quiet it when it burns too fiercely.

In my heart, I imagine Him saying, “Son, be still in Me. I can handle your fire. Let Me train it first, so you can serve Me not merely through intensity, but through faithfulness.”

I find comfort in knowing that the God I serve sees me through my afflictions, questions, rejections, imperfections, seasons of waiting, and endless curiosity.

God’s redirection of His people toward His purposes often takes us through brokenness. I find beauty in knowing that He allows us to make decisions, and when our chosen direction does not align with His will, He lovingly guides us back to His way. It feels like He is saying, “You have tried your way; now let Me show you Mine.”

Photo by: Cy Custodio (I was into bright colors in this season, August 2023)

When we insist on doing things our own way, pushing against a door that is meant to remain closed we can draw ourselves into a spiral of unnecessary pain. As we learn to rest and be still before Him, we become more attentive to the direction He is leading us.

I am still learning to be still and trust His ways over mine. No matter how carefully I plan or envision the way things should unfold, His will ultimately prevails, and I find comfort in that truth. His protection may lead me through seasons of brokenness, but I must also acknowledge my own part in them: the times I have chosen my way over His. Once again, I am confronted with pride and the need to surrender.

I love how God continues to pursue me. He gives me insight and discernment to see that brokenness can protect His people from going astray. In that sense, brokenness can become a blessing. It invites us to choose His ways instead of trying to rush toward our desired destination by our own strength or timing.

The beauty of brokenness is found in being still in His presence and allowing His Spirit to permeate every fiber of our being. He shapes us and guides us to make decisions that honor Him, glorify Him, and point people back to Jesus, not to ourselves. No one can boast or take credit for the glory that belongs to Him.

Joy becomes more deeply appreciated, treasured, and guarded after seasons of brokenness. Ultimately, joy is not the product of our own efforts; it is a fruit of His presence and work in us through Jesus.

Be still. Do not hurry. God is never late; He is always on time. His timing is perfect.

Ask Him again. Seek Him more. Make room to experience His presence more fully.

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

— John 16:24

Sealing this with love,

FROI

#DoulosDos