June 18

Written by Bill Grandi on June 18th, 2019

My title for this devotion is Shaken vs. Broken.

Have you ever received a box as a gift and your first inclination is to do what? Shake it. Kids are notorious for doing that. Unfortunately, shaking it sometimes breaks it, especially if it is not packaged well. How different it is to be pleasantly surprised and then slowly and carefully unwrapping the gift to see what’s inside.

There are some peoples’ lives who seem to be a story of shaken. It seems every day brings something new to challenge them. Tragedy hits. One after another. The loss of a job.  Child(ren).  Property. Friends (yes, even so-called church friends). A thousand voices screaming unasked for and uncalled for advice. Feelings of despair. Accusations. Failing health.

Know someone like that? I do. His name is Job. Job went through more than anyone I know. He was shaken but his faith was not broken. In fact, Job 1:22 says, “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

There are some people you just have to admire. Their life seems to be one shaking after another. I must admit that while I have had my share of setbacks (some self-inflicted) and downturns, and yes tragedies, there are people who have had it a lot worse than me. Those are the ones I admire. Especially when their faith is strong and stands the test. They are shaken but not broken. How about you?

“Father, when it comes to being shaken, may my faith be strong. May it be said of me ‘In all this he did not sin or charge God with wrong.’  May my faith stand secure in You.”

 

4 Comments so far ↓

  1. Shaken but not broken . . .
    I’d like that to be said about me, too, Bill. With God’s help, we can stand up to life’s troubles with grace.
    Blessings!

  2. floyd says:

    I like to think that in the tough times I’d hang in there. It’s been my experience so far in life that the tough times actually draw us closer to God.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I want to say that as well Floyd but I just don’t know. Like you, I believe that tough times do or can draw us closer to God.