Where Broken Began

Sharon JaynesConfidence in Christ, Identity in Christ, When You Don't Like Your Story 215 Comments

I watched the news and mourned the hatred of mankind. I read the paper and questioned the senseless headlines. I listened to the radio and cried about the wildfires out west. Silently I prayed, God, why is the world so messed up? And then the Holy Spirit reminded me of where broken began.

When God fashioned, fitted, and filled the earth, there was nothing but goodness. The lion and the lamb lay side-by-side. Adam and Eve lived a harmonious existence without a hint of discord. God and human beings communed with no barrier between them. All creation ebbed and flowed with the rhythm of the tides and the breath of God. There was no lack, only abundance; no fear, only calm assurance; no violence, only peace; no hatred, only love; no sickness, only health. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

God gave Adam and Eve just one restriction within a bounty of freedom—a restriction that was for their protection and provision. But he also gave them free will: the choice to obey or disobey—to stay within the protective boundaries of his perfect plan or step beyond them.

Adam and Eve had unveiled communion with God, unadulterated community with each other, and unlimited access to all that God had made . . . except for one little thing.

The Tree.

But we know what happened next. Genesis 3 begins with the daunting words, “Now the serpent . . .” The devil slithered into the garden and tempted the pair with the one thing they didn’t have. Isn’t that just like him? Whatever we don’t have, the devil will tell us, “You’d be happy if . . .” He wants us to believe that God is holding out on us.

Unfortunately, the “you’d-be-happy-if” lie has introduced a destructive detour into many stories.

The devil launched his plan of deception in the garden by asking a question. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1, emphasis added).

Anytime we have a thought that essentially begins, “Did God really say,” we need to stop and ask, where did that thought come from? Many self-destructive decisions have begun with the question, “Did God really say?” Did God really say I shouldn’t watch that movie? Did God really say I shouldn’t reconnect with my old high school boyfriend on Facebook? Did God really say I shouldn’t spend money on . . . ?

Eve’s first mistake was engaging the serpent in conversation in the first place. “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” she said, “but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die’” (vv. 2–3).

Satan’s next words are the first lie recorded in the Bible: “You will not certainly die” (v. 4). In other words, God is not telling the truth. Sin has no consequences.

Satan went on to say, “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (v. 5). In other words, You can be your own god.

Eve bought what the devil was peddling and made a disastrous decision that led to the downfall of all creation. She ate…she gave it to her husband who was with her and he ate.

As soon as Adam and Eve sunk their teeth into the forbidden fruit, shame entered the world. The man and woman who were previously naked and felt no shame became the man and woman who cowered and were consumed by shame. Shame blanketed the earth and creation was never the same. And that’s where broken began.

Here’s the good news—Before everything fell apart, God had a plan to put it back together. Jesus, God’s Son, put on flesh and stepped into the human story so he could pay the price for our sins, conquer death, and restore our union and communion with God. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8 NIV).

One day, the consequences of the fall will be reversed. Jesus will come again, and we will live in the New Jerusalem for all eternity. There will be no more tears, no more death, no more mourning, no more pain. He will make everything new. Broken will be no more.

If you are looking forward to that day, then click on comment and leave a shout out!

If you’re not sure that heaven is in your future, click here and let’s make sure.

If you are sure, leave a comment and say, “I’m sure! I’m grateful!”

God, thank You for sending Your Son to destroy the devil’s work and for making a way for us to leave the brokenness of this earth for the perfection of heaven. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

What if your worst chapters could become your greatest victories? I know that they can!

Today’s devotion is only a taste of the study regarding why bad things happen. If you would like to learn more, check out my new book, When You Don’t Like Your Story: What if Your Worst Chapters Could Become Your Greatest Victories. You’ll also learn how to change the seemingly worst parts of your story into your greatest victories, and then use them for good!

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Comments 215

      1. I am sure and so grateful that I know my place is with God… even when I lose my way I am assured I am His because of the sacrifice made on my behalf…

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    5. Holy Holy Holy the lamb of God came to redeem man. HE paid a debt I owed but I could never pay. Thank you Jesus!

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    7. I’m sure I’m grateful..thank you Lord for sending your son Jesus Christ to come and die for our sins .

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  3. Thank you so much for your time and insight!
    How can I find the Praying Wives daily prayer now? I miss it very much as prayed over the men in my Family daily with it.
    Thank you!!

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    1. I miss Praying Wives so very much too! I always started with Sharons prayer and then was able to pray with all the wives. I had such a bond with them all. The personal prays stirred my soul so deep and bonded us together. It was straight from God.

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  19. I am sure and grateful that 1 one day I will be in heaven. Thank you Lord for dying for me and everyone else. Thanks for loving me even through I am a sinner. Thank you that I am saved by grace through faith.

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  31. I am certain that there is a Heaven and I look forward to being there one day. Meanwhile, I must continue to strive to live in Gods word. Have faith in the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made and pray for salvation. In Jesus’s name I pray and watch. Amen

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  39. I sure am grateful our Father God. The zGod who loves me and forgives me for my sins, who accepts my repentant heart.

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  40. I’m sure. One day Jesus will call me home, to stand in His glory forever! Praise God that He makes all things new!

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  43. I am so looking forward to the day of no more tears, no more broken.
    I am so grateful for all the promises in God’s word. I don’t like my story so I am also grateful for this opportunity to learn, to grow, to trust. I picked my book up yesterday and have done the first 3 on line sessions. Thank you

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  50. I needed this message today! I lament the brokenness of this world, the hatred, the lies, the inequity. Why do we always have to hurt one another and ourselves?
    Thank God for His promise of a new Jerusalem where peace and love will reign.

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  52. Thank you Sharon for hour faithfulness
    I have purchased this book and printed out the study guide and taking it on vaca with me this week ! I am excited for this study over Lent as I desperately need Gods grace

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  59. I have been living with a blood cancer for 29 years, outlived three life expectantcies and I’m sure and grateful! I tell everyone if God allows me to continue to live here…it is a Win…if He brings me home ..it is a WIN WIN!!!!

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  61. I’m sure! I’m grateful! So blessed to have a Father that loves me no matter what.
    Thank you Jesus.

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  67. “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬
    I’m sure and I’m grateful 🙏🙏❤️❤️

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  70. “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
    ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:4

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  79. I’m sure and I’m so grateful! God is a good good Father! He loves me so much HE died for me. I will never take that for granted. Thank you Father!

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  84. I’m sure and definitely grateful!! At times I’m ashamed of my actions and repent for them. Looking forward to a perfect home when the time comes.

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  98. I’ve bought into life changing lies. I’m thankful Jesus died for us. It’s hard to even comprehend. And there’s something in my life right now that I’m feeling for the Lord to restore. I just love reading what you write Sharon I look forward to it all the time. Thank you.

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  109. I am so looking forward to the day when every nation, tribe and tongue is gathered together as one Family in His Glorious Presence ! And so very grateful to be counted among His own. 🤗
    As for now I pray and watch for opportunities to share with loved ones, neighbors and others who don’t yet know His goodness.

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  116. “I’m sure! I’m grateful!”, I’m blessed! I’ve been waiting with anticipation for many years! (I was first divorced in 1997) Absolutely can’t wait!!

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  117. Thank you Jesus! I’m on the “put it back together” side of an “everything fell apart” season in my life. Praise God for His plan all along!

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  128. I’m sure n I am grateful!
    Praying God shows His mighty hand against all the evil going on in our country right now!

    Reply

  132. I am sure and oh so thankful. Because Jesus left all of heavens glory to come to earth to save us. That is the purest form of love that ever was or will be.

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  135. I am sure and forever thankful. I am looking for the day when there will be no more temptation to sin and have no more heartache over loved ones whose lives have been wrecked by sin.

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  141. I’m sure and I’m grateful.

    Unfortunately, I do cave in and listen to the voice that tempts me to question God. I realize that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God. from Romans 8:28, But sometimes the dream that I have seems to be put on hold and nothing seems to happen. I need to learn patience and to wait on God’s timing. After all, if Moses waited 40 years in the desert herding sheep until God spoke to him, then why should I not learn patience where God has placed me? Thanks for this great message.

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  143. I’m sure, & I’m super duper grateful! Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me, & for everything. Amen. Alleluia. Amen.✝️🕊🎺 Sharon, I thank my God for you. GRACE, BLESSINGS,👍🕊

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  152. Yes I’m sure and so grateful that God loves me no matter what. I look to the sky every morning and ask God “Can today be the day I see Jesus coming through the clouds to take me home?” I look forward to that day and long to see Jesus face to face for eternity. THAT, my sisters will be Heaven!

    Reply

  168. Loved your article!!! Trying to understand, God also tells us about how we receive forgiveness & the gift of the Holy Spirit & put on Christ in Acts 2:38, Acts 8:34-38, John 3:3-5, Romans 6:3&4, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:9-12, 1st Peter 3:18-22.
    Did God really say these things? Yes He did! Isaiah 1:18

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  173. I’m sure and I’m very grateful; even when doubts creep in each and every day! Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Love the Girlfriends in God gals! Look forward everyday and God always has a word through one of your devotions or whenever you have a guest writer! Seems to speak directly to me just what I needed so badly!!

    Reply

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