Withered Hands and Withered Lives

photo © 2011 Angie Chung | more info (via: Wylio)

There are times in your life when you feel as if everything has fallen apart around you. You sit amongst the ruins of what used to be your life, and covered in ashes, all you can find the strength to do is cry out for mercy. The mercies never come.

Wounded and broken, you cry out to Jesus to carry you through the valley before you. Just as He promised, He does. He holds you for as long as you are willing to stay in His arms. Your humanity tempts you to jump out and try to walk on your own, but you quickly learn that you are not strong enough, and you probably never will be. In your weakness, He is strong.

As time passes and your bleeding wounds begin to turn into scars, you can't help but watch others receive the very mercies which you prayed for and never received. Jealous and angry, you find it hard to understand why God will give to some and take from others. Yet it is not our place to understand. We do not have the authority to make those choices.

Some will receive God's mercies in the broken parts of their lives, while others do not. Regardless, He is building a story in your life and it goes something like this...

God's promises are good. He is good, in all circumstances. That never changes. His plans are better than yours. You are simply too small to be able to see the beauty that He will bring from the ashes. If you cling to Jesus, He will certainly complete the works in you which He has started, just as promised.

No matter how gruesome the wreckage of your life may be; no matter what is broken and bleeding; no matter how much you may feel like you can't even take your next breathe; He is big enough and strong enough to carry you through it. Through it all, amidst it all, He is good. His mercies are new every morning. You are covered in grace sweet child of God. Reach for the hem of His garment. Cling to the feet of Jesus. For His plans are better than your plans. His plans for you are good.

Jesus can heal a withered hand, but his greater concern is for withered lives to be healed by his presence. - James Robison of Life Today


About the Author
Kelly Dunn is loved, saved and forgiven by the amazing grace and sweet mercies of Jesus every day.

She is the mother of 2 sweet children, Ashton (3) and Noah who was born into Heaven. She is thankful for Dan, her rock and the leader of their family. She spends her time raising a daughter who knows and loves Jesus, reading, drinking way too much coffee, and doing intentional life with the people she loves.

Kelly writes at Noah's Ark: Finding Faith and Joy In All Circumstances and is the creator of Project63:3

Find her on Twitter @Kelly_NoahsArk