A Word of Inspiration for the Broken: This Will not be the Death of You
A bi-weekly inspirational column by LaKeisha Rainey-Collins
Lately, I’ve noticed that I’m crossing paths with a lot of women who remind me so much of the broken woman I used to be. On separate recent occasions, I offered a listening heart to three young ladies experiencing serious turbulence in their lives. Though their situations are different, their feelings towards the turmoil in their lives are the same. They are weary, and worn by fighting what seems to be a constant losing battle. As I conversed with them individually, there was one statement they each made that united them in my heart – “This will be the death of me.” Here were three women who sincerely love the Lord and whose whole lives are still ahead of them, ready to throw in the towel and give up on life.
But I couldn’t judge them. I empathized with them, and my heart ached each time I heard or read those words, because I once felt the same way. I knew exactly how they felt.
Life often has a way of making us feel like we are cursed with a curse. At least that’s the way I felt. It seemed like I just couldn’t win for losing, and every time I thought things couldn’t get worse, they did. And whenever I’d slightly convince myself that I could make it through, something would happen to make me believe otherwise. Every small glimpse of sunshine was quickly clouded by gloom. It was exhausting, and for a minute, I felt like I was losing my mind. There were times when I couldn’t go to work because the tears wouldn’t stop; days when I couldn’t find the strength to get out of bed; moments when I thought I’d have a mental breakdown; and periods of not knowing whether I was coming or going.
Have you ever felt that way?
Back then, I couldn’t see God’s hand upon me, neither could I understand how all of the pain and anguish in my life would work together for my good, as Romans 8:28 encourages. All I could see was what appeared to be a jacked up life that had no purpose. The enemy sometimes planted thoughts of suicide in my mind, and I honestly believed that I would die in my brokenness.
Oh, but God!
Right in the middle of my despair, His love and His word found me. He spoke to me so profoundly in Psalm 118:17. It says, “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.” I embedded that scripture in my heart, and I meditated on it day and night, until I was convinced of its truth.
When the enemy told me to self-destruct, I told him I will not die, but live.
When my problems overwhelmed me, I told myself I will not die, but live.
When depression backed me into a dark corner, I proclaimed I will not die, but live.
I spoke life into the atmosphere, and it became manifest in me. And I’m here, by the grace of God, proclaiming what the Lord has done. There is power in the word of God. And when we hide the Word in our hearts and proclaim it from our mouths, the enemy does not stand a chance against us.
God did not design our afflictions to destroy us. He allows us to experience tough times so that we may learn of Him and become shaped and molded into what He destined us to be. He desires to give us life even in the midst of our valley experiences. It’s the enemy that makes us believe we will die in our sorrow. But he’s a liar.
Know this - It’s during our storms that we are on the Potter’s wheel. Just as the potter cups his hand around the clay on his wheel and carefully shapes it until it becomes a beautiful masterpiece, so does our Father hold us in His hands, meticulously molding us until we become like the image of Christ. The clay gets a bit marred and broken in the process, but as long as it remains in the potter’s hands, he will perfectly put it back together.
The pain is not to kill you. The fire is not to burn you. The raging sea is not to drown you. It is not unto death. Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) It is the thief, the enemy, that comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but he cannot take what belongs to the Lord. And because you have been bought with a price, you are God’s property. Though the enemy desires to sift you as wheat, he cannot take your life. I declare that you shall live.
Despite how bad it hurts, how dark the day, how heavy the burden, the Lord has plans to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) If you just hang in there, the Lord is going to perfect every single thing that concerns you. (Psalm 138:8). You’ll soon look back and see how the Lord’s mercy endured in your life, and proclaim His goodness forever.
Your right now pales in comparison to your future. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says it best, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Your troubles will not be the death of you, but the development of the you God designed you to be long before the foundation of the world.
You shall not die, but live. Go ahead and praise God for abundant life.
LaKeisha Rainey-Collins is a wife, mother of two beautiful boys and inspirational blogger. She believes that God has purposed her to use her gift of writing to share her experiences as a Christian woman, wife, and mother, in order to touch the hearts of other women just like her.
Email LaKeisha:
kcollins@eewmagazine.com
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10 Comments
Reader Comments (10)
I had no idea I was going to click here and read something just for me! I have been depressed lately. Everything in my life feels like it's going wrong and I know that might seem like an exaggeration but it's true. My plans and goals have not worked out and it's like a dark cloud just sits over my head and it only rains on ME everyday. I needed this so bad, so bad!!! Thank you Ms. Keisha for always speaking the truth I need to hear.
Thank you so much for this article! You have no idea how this has blessed me! The last two weeks, have been two of the most difficult weeks, I've had in a long time. Yesterday, things went from bad to worst (yes, on Sunday!). I am surviving off 4 hours of sleep, because my mind is so troubled with stuff.. (marriage, church, work, finances). It just seems like I can't get peace anywhere. I have been so down and discouraged. I can't talk to my husband, although he is a Christian, he is dealing with his own issues (PTSD). I try to be understanding and strong for him, but I need a soft place to fall, and I just don't have that. I've noticed some shady behavior at church with people, so, I definitely don't trust them enough to talk to them. I pray and try not to worry-but honestly, it's hard sometimes. I have had thoughts of suicide, but I realize, that my child needs me, and it would be a permanent solution to temporary problems (although they don't always seem temporary). I have been through alot over the years and I know the power of God. I thank you for speaking that Word through your article "not die, but live"! God Bless You Sister.
LaKeisha,
You just took me to church! This was an encouraging sermon filled with the Word! Even though I'm in a really good place right now, I will tuck this word in my heart for a time when I'm sure to need it.
This will not be the death of me!! Thank you for this word!!!!
Neecy and TL, I'm glad you received a word of encouragement from this article. I know how trying life can be sometimes, but know that God's got you in the palm of His hands. I'm praying for both of you.
Tammy, you're welcome! All glory goes to God for speaking through me. So glad you were blessed!
Rhonda, don't make me start doing sermons yet! LOL!! Thanks for reading, and always encouraging me.
Where do I begin? I was sexually abused as a child so I ate, and ate, and ate to console myself. I am 28 and weigh 300+ pounds and I know there is all this hurt buried underneath. There have been days I wish I didn't wake up at all so I've been there and still am there many days. This was a great help to me. Thank you Ms. Collins
You are speaking to me right now! When you said, "It’s during our storms that we are on the Potter’s wheel. Just as the potter cups his hand around the clay on his wheel and carefully shapes it until it becomes a beautiful masterpiece" I immediately started praising because the Lord has been confirming that over and over again. He's working on me! My pastor preached a sermon Sunday about the marred clay on the potter's wheel. This has been a true blessing to me!
Lola, my prayers are with you. I can relate to your pain. I was sexually abused as a child, and turned to unhealthy behaviors as a coping mechanism. I pray that the Lord will give you the strength and courage to strip off your layers of pain, and find healing, wholeness, and a healthier lifestyle through Him. Thank you so much for reading, and sharing your heart with me.
Ms. Diva, don't you just love it when God gives us confirmation! Thanks for sharing.
I cried all the way through this article. This has been a hard year for me. My mother died of cancer 3 months ago and she was my best friend. Then my actual best friend moved away to another state because her husband's job got transferred and they needed the money so he took the position. I have never felt this alone in all my life so I felt like this was for me.
"Despite how bad it hurts, how dark the day, how heavy the burden, the Lord has plans to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)"
My heart is overwhelmed. Thank you.
Hi Ursula! I'm so glad you were encouraged by this article. Thank you for sharing.
Prayers & Hugs to you.