Do you ever feel like you are too broken to be worthy of God’s love?
During his ministry, the Apostle Paul endured more hardships and trials than most of us could even imagine. Through his experiences, he was inspired to write about the nature of God’s love for us in Romans 8.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
Even when we are at the weakest and most broken point in our lives, God’s love still shines through the darkness and envelopes us. Sheila Walsh shares how not even our brokenness can separate us from God’s love. Much like Paul, she experienced the true nature of God’s love, but for her, it was in a psychiatric hospital.
“I always thought that if I ever end up there, it will be the end of me.”
Contrary to what Sheila thought, entering the psychiatric hospital wasn’t the end, but rather the beginning.
“It turned out to be the end of my wrong understanding of our great God.”
She was reminded of several key concepts about her faith.
“I remembered that I’ve never been the good news, Jesus is. He’s always been in control; he’s always had a good, strong hold on my life.”
Since then God has continued to use Sheila’s life for His glory.
“From that has sprung the most unlikely ministry. I never would have seen myself working with women.”
Sheila is convinced that God allows us to experience hardships and trials so that when we have come to the end of ourselves and we have nothing left to give anyone, we can experience his love for us.
“When you have nothing left to commend yourself with you discover the truth of the Psalmist David’s words that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in Spirit.”
We reach this point and we no longer have to be afraid because God has seen our worst and he still loves us completely, despite our brokenness.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
The rest of Sheila’s story can be found in her book, .
Key Scriptures: Isaiah 60:1-2; Revelation 21:5; Romans 8:38-41
Featured Songs: You Alone by North Point; It is Well with My Soul by Matt Redman; You Are For Me by Kari Jobe
