Brokenness

Brokenness

By Patsy Norwood © 2025  All Rights Reserved!  Any and all commercial use of this study is prohibited!

… the kind of brokenness that you experience when your world lays crumbled at your feet …

when the pain is so profound it’s hard to breathe …

when you’re just numb …

when questions run through your mind … why me or why didn’t I see this coming? …

When you find yourself wondering and even asking … God, why did you allow this to happen?

The first two why’s, in reality, don’t have concrete answers, but the third one, ‘why did God allow this to happen,’ in my mind, has a clear and easy answer. It’s not because God is uncaring or distant, it’s because God gave mankind freewill to choose Him and His goodness and in so doing, He gave us freewill to choose to do evil as well.  It’s that simple, mankind as a whole and individually, gets to choose and when evil is chosen, people are hurt … sometimes devastatingly so.

One of many beautiful things about God though, is that when mankind does choose evil over good, He is still willing and ready to help us overcome.

Let’s look at what He tells us in His word about brokenness beginning in Psalm 34:18. Can we just let this beautiful passage soak in … 

Psalm 34:18 … The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  (ESV)

This verse in context, is referring to those who are broken and crushed by the realization of sin in their lives; it’s written to those who are ready to obey God’s teachings, allowing Him to rescue and save them.  However, I don’t think it takes anything away from or adds to the image of God we see in this verse to apply it in the way we are using it.  God’s compassion shines through.  He is near, He cares and He rescues.  Does knowing this take the pain away from devastating brokenness, no, but it is comforting to know that God is aware and there and that makes the brokenness more bearable.

Let’s look at some more scriptures …

Psalm 147:3 … He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (NASB)

What a tender and caring image of our Father this brings to mind.  He is willing to take His broken children and bind up their wounds.  How comforting is that!

Psalm 121: 1 – 3 … I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.  He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. (NKJV)

What’s our role in healing from devastating brokenness?  We must look to God; we must acknowledge and know that He can and will help us through the brokenness.  We rest in the assurance that He watches over us 24/7 every day and night, and that He will not get tired of dealing with us/our pain and abandon us after a few days.

Do we always know what that care will look like, I can tell you that we will absolutely not always know, in fact, we very seldom know beforehand.  His care comes in small and big acts from others.  It comes from those who choose to walk this journey by our side, shoring us up when we feel like we can’t go on and it comes from faithful prayer warriors on our behalf.  (Sidenote:  this is one of many reasons we need to focus on being the hands and feet of Jesus while on this earth, God may be using us to help others through, sometimes silent, unbearable pain.)

Proverbs 3:5-6 … Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)

This is the hard part, trusting … not leaning on our own understanding.  The head may be willing, but the heart may have deep devastating wounds that are yet to heal.  We need to trust anyway with whatever amount of trust we can produce.  God knows and He understands. 

It helps to acknowledge God’s goodness as we travel this journey, in fact we are told to.  In our brokenness, sharing what God has done and or is doing for us might help someone else who hears our testimony.  It also serves as a reminder to us that God is working in the situation.

Isaiah 41:10 … Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (NASB)

This is another hard part … not fearing … remembering that God is with us.  We need to take scriptures such as we are looking at today and commit them to memory, ‘write them on the door posts of our homes’ and hearts, always having them ready and before us to remind us that God is there, that He has not left us nor will He.

James 1:5 … But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (NASB)

When we are so broken that we don’t know what to do, God wants us to ask Him for wisdom.  He wants us to ask Him for guidance and discernment to make the right and best decisions for the current scenario.  He assures us when we do, that He will liberally and without reproach give it to us.

Isaiah 58:11 …  And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.  (NASB)

Make no mistake, this is a long and most difficult journey to travel, it is also a faith building journey and as we can see God is more than willing to travel it with us, if we’ll let Him.  Do you see what else this verse tells us; it tells us we can survive and even thrive again … you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

I have marked these scriptures in my Bible, and I would urge you to do the same.  If you have never experienced devastating brokenness and don’t feel this is relevant to your life right now, I would say, mark them in your Bible anyway.

Someday, somewhere God may place someone in your life that needs these promises to hold on to and in my humble opinion that’s reason enough to be ready to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Here’s how I label and mark these scriptures in my Bible that makes them readily accessible for use when needed …

On a blank page in the front of my Bible, I write:

Brokenness:  Psalm 34:18 (B)  (The “B” is an identifier.  Each topic will have a different identifying letter.)

I then turn to Psalm 34:18 and at the end of the verse write the next verse:   Psalm 147:3 (B)

Before I leave Psalm 34:18 though I highlight, or you may prefer to underline the words “The Lord is near” "saves" and “broken hearted” and “crushed in spirit.”

I use the same format for the rest of the verses chaining them all together.

In addition, for Psalm 147:3, I highlight or underline the words, “He heals” and “brokenhearted” and “binds up their wounds.”  I want the things God does to jump off the page at me as soon as I see it!  In the margin next to the verse, I write “heals and binds up.”

For Psalm 121: 1-3, I highlight or underline “my help comes from the Lord” and “He who keeps you will not slumber.”  I want to be reminded as soon as my eyes are drawn to the words that God is not slack in His looking out for me.

Proverbs 3:5-6, I highlight or underline “Trust in the Lord” and “acknowledge His path” and “He will make straight your paths.”  Another assurance that God can make something from the chaos and pain.

Isaiah 41:10, I highlight or underline the entire verse.  In the margin next to the verse, I write “God’s Assurance.”

James 1:5, I highlight or underline “ask of God” and “gives to all generously and without reproach” and “it will be given to him.”  In the margin next to the verse, I write ‘there are no silly or insignificant questions or requests to/for God.”

Isaiah 58:11, I highlight or underline “the Lord will continually guide you.”  In the margin next to the verse, I write “God stays on the job 24/7!”  I also write in the margin next to the verse ‘hope.’  That’s what God is giving us, hope that we will survive and that life will be good again someday.

I hope this topic helps you or equips you to help someone else.

May God be glorified in all that we do!*

(Note:  the versions of the Bible used in this article are word for word translations.  Paraphrased editions of God’s word are man’s version, not God’s.  There is a difference so please choose the version of the Bible you use carefully.)

Until the next time!

patsy @ From This Heart of Mine

~ a place for women to gather and study God's Word ~

As One Study Comes to an End, Another Begins!

 I look forward to August of every year, because that's when one of the Bible studies I do ends and another begins.  This year, in August, we (there are 11,000 plus women who do some or all of each year's Bible study by Cindy Colley) finished an in-depth study on 'Conversations' Jesus had with women. It was rich, it was deep, and it was rewarding.

Beginning September 1st, this same group of women will begin the 2025-2026 Bible study written by Cindy Colley titled, The GOD of More.

I think I need this study this year more so than others ... the idea of digging deep into God's word and seeing His 'exceeding abundance' is something that will help my faith walk as, like many others, it's been a tough year.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.  Ephesians 3:20

Doesn't that scripture just make you want to dig in and learn more!  It does me!  I can't wait for it to start!

As you can see in the picture, I am ready to dig in ...

pictured ...

The GOD of More t-shirt...

The GOD of More Bible study book ...

Highlighters that I was given for completing last year's study ...

and colored pens that I use to color code comments from other ladies doing the study as well as my own.

Here's some additional information about this study ...

You can download the study for FREE or you can purchase a 'hold in your hand' workbook of the study.

HERE is the Facebook group that goes along with the study.  The author of the study is also in the group.

HERE is a smaller group (1600 in this group) that meet every Monday to do the study together online. Julie Orr, the lady who leads the study in her home, opens her home to local ladies to come and study together with her and streams it live online for the rest of us.

There are many smaller groups all over the U.S. and in some foreign countries.  A friend and I meet online weekly to do this study together as many others do ... some meet in person as well.

This study is deep and in-depth and will require you to get in God's word a lot!  We have been warned that this study will challenge us this year ... I love a Bible study challenge!

Deep, in-depth Bible study is not just for men, it's for us women too!

Ladies, if you think you might be interested or if the title and theme hit you in a soft spot in your heart like it does me, please go check it out by clicking on the links above.  Remember, there is a free version.  The content of the free version is the same as the 'hold in your hands' book copy, the only difference is that it's digital and doesn't have the lines the book version does for writing down answers.

One more thing, if you're interested in the study but the amount of time needed to complete each lesson is not realistic for you, remember that you don't have to do everything, you don't have to answer every question ... you can listen to the online class by Julie Orr, listen to the podcast and the dig-a-bits (by the author) and still glean much!

If you have any questions or if I've not explained something clearly, please feel free to reach out to me and I'll do my best to answer your questions and clear up any confusion.

patsy @ From This Heart of Mine

~ a place for women to gather and study God's Word ~

Jael! Jael! Jael! Lesson 5 (Final Lesson)

By Patsy Norwood © 2025  All Rights Reserved!  Any and all commercial use of this study is prohibited!

Judges 1:16; 4:1-22; 5:24-27

Can you believe that Jael, in our last lesson, put a tent peg through Sisera's temple all the way through into the ground!

We're about to find out what happens to Jael as a result of her actions as we pick back up in Judges 4:22 ...

22 And then, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, I will show you the man whom you seek.” And when he went into her tent, there lay Sisera, dead with the peg in his temple.

Once Barak arrived in the area where Heber and Jael lived, Jael went out to meet Barak.  She told him that the man he was pursing was inside her tent.  Upon entering Jael’s tent, there indeed lay Sisera … dead … just as Deborah had prophesied … by the hand of a woman.

We have referred to parts of Judges 5:24-27 earlier to give more details of the events that happened, but now let’s take a look at it in its entirety with its purpose in mind which was to praise Jael for her actions.  Deborah led them in song …

“Most blessed among women is Jael,

The wife of Heber the Kenite;

Blessed is she among women in tents.

He asked for water, she gave milk;

She brought out cream in a lordly bowl. 

She stretched her hand to the tent peg,

Her right hand to the workmen’s hammer;

She pounded Sisera, she pierced his head,

She split and struck through his temple. 

At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still;

At her feet he sank, he fell;

Where he sank, there he fell dead.

One has to wonder if Deborah’s words to Barak, when he told her that he would not go if she did not go with him, played through his mind as he and Deborah, along with all the others, sang and witnessed the praise being heaped upon Jael.

Judges 4:23 So on that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan in the presence of the children of Israel.

Another promise made and kept by God!

24 And the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

This victory was the first of many until God, via the Israelites, had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

Why did God want the Canaanites destroyed?  Because they were a threat physically and spiritually to the Israelites whom God had chosen to bring His Son to earth through.

How were the Canaanites a threat to the Israelites?  The Israelites would intermingle with the Canaanites and be drawn away from God and His purpose.  The Canaanites also wanted “their land” back … the land God had given to the Israelites, so they were a physical threat as well.

Today, we are in the world but are not to be a part of it (John 17:15-17) as God wanted the Israelites to be.  Why?  Because we too can be drawn away from God and His purpose for our lives.

In closing, let’s address the fact that Deborah, appointed by God to be prophetess and judge of His chosen people, gave praise to Jael for killing Sisera.  Both Deborah and Jael were of God’s people, Jael killed a man, and Deborah praised her for it.  Was this wrong in the eyes of God?

Let’s look at it this way …

Sisera was an enemy of God and in Deuteronomy 7:1-2 …

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them.

 and in Numbers 33: 51-56 …

“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places;  you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess.  And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families; to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance; there everyone’s inheritance shall be whatever falls to him by lot. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers. But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.  Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.’ ”

God had commanded the Israelites to wipe out and destroy the people of the land.  They knew what they were supposed to do!  Could this be why Jael was praised for her act instead of condemned?    Jael did what Barak should have stepped up to the plate and done, but his moment of weakness cost him the glory that would have been his had he had faith in God’s command.

When we refuse to do what God wants us to do, He will give the role to another.  His will, will be accomplished whether we choose to participate or not.  Jael got the glory because she obeyed God’s command.  Barak saw another get the glory that should have been his because he only partially obeyed.  I do believe there is a lesson in that for us!

In closing, what can we learn from this account of Jael …

God is in control and is sovereign.

We can trust God to do what He says He will.

God uses the unlikely and sometimes overlooked.

Stay faithful to God regardless (Jael stayed faithful even though her husband did not.)

God fights for His faithful followers.

God goes before His children and prepares the way.

Partial obedience is not obedience.

One more ... God’s will, will be accomplished whether we choose to obey God’s commands or not.

Can you think of other lessons we can learn from Jael?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I hope you’ve enjoyed this study and found something in it that will help you in your Christian walks.

Until the next study!

patsy @ From This Heart of Mine

~ a place for women to gather and study God's Word ~

Sources used for this study:

Various translations of the Holy Bible

Various commentaries

Several trusted and biblically sound online sources

Dictionary of New Testament Background, Editors: Craig A Evans & Stanley E. Porter

Archaeological Study Bible

All the Women of the Bible by Edith Deen

Daughters of Eve by Lottie Beth Hobbs

Halley’s Bible Handbook by H. H. Halley