BROKENNESS
It is now possible to create a new word like spiritslaughing, which is new language for a very old combination of words that have always belonged close together: spirits and laughing.
Are you feeling broken so that your spirit is actually crying instead of laughing? Do you just feel numb, like you are in a state of nothingness? Here are some things you might do:
1. Write a description of what has broken your spirit. Write two or three sentences that state it concisely.
Or, write a longer description using several paragraphs, or even several pages.
Look over what you have written and mark through words or thoughts that are confusing or not necessary.
2. Offer up in prayer what you have written, asking God to heal your broken spirit! (Take the time to rest for awhile in your prayer.) Ask God to help your spirit to laugh again.
3. Make a prayer request out of your written statement. Call the Upper Room Living Prayer Center, 1-800-251-2468 (day or night) and tell the person who answers about your concern and ask that she/he pray with you over the phone.
4. Talk to someone you trust and love, and share what you have written. Perhaps that person will pray with you right then. At least, ask them to remember your situation and to be praying for you over the next few days.
By the way: Psalm 31 is for the BROKEN. Here are some selected verses from The Message [. . . . .], (a translation by Eugene Peterson written in street language):
I run to you, God; I run for dear life.
Don’t let me down!
Take me seriously this time!
Get down on my level and listen,
and please—no procrastination!
. . . . .
I hate all this silly religion,
but you, God, I trust.
I’m leaping and singing in the circle of your love;
you saw my pain,
you disarmed my tormentors,
You didn’t leave me in their clutches
but gave me room to breathe.
Be kind to me, God—
I’m in deep, deep trouble again.
I’ve cried my eyes out;
I feel hollow inside.
My life leaks away, groan by groan;
my years fade out in sighs.
My troubles have worn me out,
turned my bones to powder.
. . . . .
What a stack of blessing you have piled up
for those who worship you,
Ready and waiting for all who run to you
to escape an unkind world.
. . . . .
Blessed God!
His love is the wonder of the world.
Trapped by a siege, I panicked.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” I said.
But you heard me say it,
you heard and listened.
Love God, all you saints;
God takes care of all who stay close to him,
But he pays back in full
those arrogant enough to go it alone.
Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up.
Expect God to get here soon.
Return here often, and make this your Psalm.
Also, come back and e-mail me about your breakthrough in your experience of being broken, at Danny@spiritslaughing.com. (It is important for you to verbalize your breakthroughs!)
Your spirit is meant to laugh. I am confident that it will!
Take whatever action you can take to help your spirit laugh again.
MORE SPIRITUALITY STUFF RIGHT AFTER WE RETURN TO TUNG-IN-CHEEK ON “Proverbs,” “The Babylonians as the Funniest People in the World,” and The Humor of the ‘Laughing Jesus’. Then we will come to “Burdened” and “Depressed,” BUT WE WILL NOT END UP LIKE THAT!
