Brokenness: God’s Way of Giving His Best

The hardest seasons of my life have also been the most fruitful. At the time, I didn’t like them one bit — they were painful, confusing, and deeply humbling. Looking back, though, I can see that they were seasons of brokenness, and that God was doing something I couldn’t have seen then: breaking me of self-reliance so He could form Christ more fully in me.

Brokenness, at its core, is death to self. Jesus said, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). As long as I cling to my independence, my dreams, or my own strength, I remain unfruitful. But when I surrender those things — when God brings me to the end of myself — something new happens. Out of the death of self comes the life of Christ, and from that life comes fruit that lasts.

God doesn’t break us to destroy us, but to set us free from the things we secretly cling to — the hidden corners of self-will where we say, “Lord, you can have everything except this.” He arranges the circumstances, chooses the tools, and even controls the pressure to bring us to surrender. Like a horse that resists the reins, we’re often stubborn and want to go our own way. But when we yield, we don’t lose our spirit for living; we gain instant responsiveness to the One who rides with wisdom and love.

Brokenness also matures us and equips us for real ministry. Look at Joseph, Moses, Peter, or Paul — each was gifted, yet each had to be broken before God could use them. Brokenness stripped them of pride, anger, or self-confidence so that God alone could get the glory. The same is true for us. What feels like loss is actually God making room for something greater. Brokenness is the doorway to deeper intimacy with Him, greater freedom in our spirits, and a more powerful witness to others.

I’ve fought the process, even resented it at times. But I’ve also learned this: revival follows brokenness. Every time I’ve surrendered what I was clinging to, God has poured back something far better — His peace, His presence, His joy. Brokenness is not punishment; it’s preparation. It’s God’s way of giving us His best.