Brokenness That Leads to Real Life

By Martha Noebel

As I was watching The 700 Club today*, I heard Rev. James Robison share his life's story. He told of his pain growing up and the joy of being blessed with a season of being raised by Christian parents. His own mother and father were anything but saved. They brought hell into his life instead.

He later shared how as a minister, his life was filled with anger, confusion, and even lust. He spoke of how he finally came to a place of true brokenness before he was able to be truly happy with his wife, children, and his ministry.

I was shocked to hear him tell of these things. Lust? Here was a minister who was tormented with lust and even a spirit of suicide? How can this be? Then I thought of other famous preachers who had fallen for some of the same tricks of the enemy. I realized that it is very difficult to always be in the limelight. Preaching to large crowds of people, hectic schedules, many nights on the road traveling, all add to situations that are hard to overcome.

Then I began to ponder about what lead him to really enjoying life. His human frailties and at times his carnal nature kept him from knowing total freedom in Christ. Don't be mistaken. He was a Christian. He was a man of God doing the Lord's work. Yet, he was finding himself in situations where he needed God to pull him out. His greatest victory came as he humbled himself and received all the love and mercy his God had for him.

I don't want to hit that wall myself, but without God's help, I could easily find myself there too. We need to remember where we have come from. We are frail and each one of us needs to keep our eyes focused intently on the Master.

An encouraging word is:

So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

I want to live a life of brokenness that leads to total peace in God. I want my life to be an example of Jesus Christ and His great love. My desire is to stay focused, run the course at a steady pace, and hold on to the loving Savior's hand.

*Note: James and Betty Robison appeared on The 700 Club in 2004.