When Your Mirror Shatters: How to Pick Up Your Broken Pieces

Life is unfair. Let me repeat it, life is unfair. Oh, and in case you didn’t catch that, LIFE IS UNFAIR! Why is life unfair? The answer is simpler than you might think. It’s because sin entered into the world. There are two kingdoms fighting back and forth for control of this world, and for control of you. One kingdom is evil, and one is good. If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we belong to the kingdom which fights against the principalities of darkness and against their evil ruler, Satan. While once Satan lived in the very presence of God, this world is now the closest thing to heaven he is ever going to get. And even though we know this world is not our ultimate home, Satan will do everything in his power to make us forget that. He will try to crush us physically, mentally and spiritually, and to bring us down to his level. He will try to prey on your mind and keep you trapped under the unfairness of life. You know this if you have ever struggled with broken relationships, illness, death, grief, shame, doubt, fear, abandonment, abuse, and the list goes on. The enemy has and will continue to go to great lengths to take YOU out and shatter your life. He is plotting against you every second. Why? He is afraid of what the power of God in you can do to make you a great influence for good in this world. Every second Satan holds you back is another lost opportunity for someone to see the light of Christ shine through you.

The enemy can only see your past, not your future. He wants to use your past to get you hung up, tripped up and flat out fallen down so he can stomp on you! Satan’s joy is in shattered lives. But, let me tell you, you are not down for the count! Satan only has the snapshot, but God has the panoramic view! All through the scriptures, we can see people who looked like they were done for, but God raised them back up and used them mightily. When we wallow in our discontentment, heartbreak, anger and fear we give ourselves to Satan on a silver platter. Life is not fair, but God is just. Satan will be repaid in God’s timing, and God wants us to move on in His purpose.

If I love God only in the good times, then I am loving God conditionally. God loves you and me in the good, bad, ugly and sad times of our lives. He loves us even when we don’t deserve to be loved. Remember the story of Joseph, whose brothers were so jealous of him they sold him into slavery? And how Joseph came to be second in command over all Egypt? In case you don’t, you can read about it in Genesis. Joseph’s brothers were so worried about what they had done to him that they were afraid Joseph would have them killed, but Joseph’s reply was:

Genesis 50:20 (TLB)

²⁰ As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil, for he brought me to this high position I have today so that I could save the lives of many people.

We don’t always understand the way God does things, and it is difficult when we want answers now. However, if we can’t trust God now we may never understand His full purpose or find peace in our hearts.

I have friends whose child died in an automobile accident. It was a horrific, tragic, and senseless death due to a drunk driver. Their lives were shattered and forever changed. In the midst of their grief and sorrow, they decided to donate their child’s organs. Through their child’s death, ten people were given life and hope again. They miss their child every day, but know they will eventually be reunited with their child. They chose to allow God to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. They are now touring the country speaking about the gift of life and the impact organ donation can make in people’s lives.

I have another friend who was sexually abused from the age of seven until she was seventeen. Her life was shattered and her identity completely stripped from her. She struggled with self-esteem, eating issues, anger, hate and rage which she knew was consuming her life. The enemy had made her believe she was all alone, isolated, dirty, cheap and used. However, through her tears and fragileness she confided in one person which enabled her ability to use her voice. Once she spoke up she was no longer a captive to the enemy’s ideas of who she was. She found her freedom in Christ by forgiving her abuser, not for their benefit, but for hers. She is now an advocate in helping others find their own voice, and creates awareness of this issue by speaking, teaching, writing and mentoring others.

Two very different stories of lives that were shattered, but in each case God used these lives through their brokenness to offer His love and hope to others.

So what can you do with your shattered life?

• Don’t let the darkness take over your heart. God will light the way with His presence and keep you from becoming lost.
• Find a trusted pastor, counselor or friend to pray with you. Let others help you and direct you to the resources you need to get you through your difficult time.
• Don’t try to pick up the broken pieces by yourself. Allow God to pick them up and create in you exactly what He desires.
• Don’t let the enemy keep you silent. Despair thrives in isolation.
• Recognize through adversity, there truly is an adversary who wants to keep you in bondage. Christ gives freedom, peace and hope!
• Realize that God has given you empathy, compassion and hope for the person who approaches you and says, “You don’t understand.” And you can say, “Yes, I do!”

Don’t ever deny the power of using your story for His glory. This is Jesus Glitter! God makes the most beautiful mosaics from the shattered and broken pieces of our lives.