Bitterness and Brokenness

He was in his late 70s sitting in a small tea house in China when two workers came by, their shoulders bent and their muscles straining from the weight of a huge rock attached with chains to a heavy bamboo pole.

Noticing the men laboring under the weight of their burden, he said, “That’s what I used to do!” And then the story of 20 years as a forced laborer came tumbling out.

The old man spoke of two extremely difficult times. The first was about the time he was harassed by the government for what he had not done. When he refused to make  a false confession or give up his faith, he became an enemy of the people. He thought of suicide as others already had taken their lives rather than give in. But David’s words in Psalm 39:9 spoke to his heart, “I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.” He found strength to persevere.

The second came eight years after he was sentenced to forced labor. The woman he loved had waited for him for eight years but eventually gave up on his ever getting out of prison. She married someone else.

“God,” he cried out, “You are so unfair to me. I give You my life and You do not give me a wife. You took everything away.” This time, however, it was Job’s words in Job 1:21 that spoke to his heart. “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart.”

Affliction will either drive a wedge between you and God, or push you into the arms of Jesus, who will take the broken pieces of your life and make something beautiful of them.

Used with permission from Guidelines Philippines, Inc. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, please write to Box 4000, 1280 Makati City, Philippines or e-mail address [email protected]. You may also visit our website at www.guidelines.org.