I’m joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Lots of women. All of us writing on that same word.
Today the word prompt is … Break.
I closed the door, breathed in a sigh, thankful to have a few minutes to myself. The thoughts which I had kept from flooding my mind could be held back no more and with their arrival, the tears flowed as well.
And the question loomed before me …
“Had we reached our breaking point?”
Breaking point —> it’s the very point at which something or someone gives way under stress or a situation. The point at which you just cannot take any more. You’ve had it. You just want to be let alone.
As hard as it is to be certain when we ourselves have reached our breaking point, to ascertain when someone else has arrived at their breaking point is near impossible.
As these thoughts swirled and the tears rolled, I remembered a quote I had written in the margin of my Bible:
“God will not cut you back so much that you are broken beyond the ability to grow, nor will He quench you to the point that you give up or quit.
(Anne Graham Lotz)
God knows our breaking point and assures me:
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Isaiah 43:3, NIV)
Today I am joining with … Five Minute Friday and Faith Filled Friday and Dance With Jesus and Fellowship Friday .
Wow – that quote is wonderful! Need to not that one down in my bible too.
I loved that quote when I read it. I have it in an older Bible but this morning also put it in the one I am currently using 🙂 I’m glad it spoke to you.
We all know that breaking point don’t we Joanne? I’m sorry you’ve been there recently but we have hope. That verse intrigued me to look it up in the Message and what beautiful hope it gives:
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
Thankful for his presence in our lives. Stopping by from FMF.
Debby, LOVE it in The Message!!! Thank you for sharing that here with me. Grateful for you. Blessings!
This verse is beautiful in The Message Bible; I love to read verses in different versions…some just hit home so much more clearly!! Loved the quote too!
Thanks for sharing!
It truly read beautifully & powerfully in The Message. I was grateful Debby shared it with us. Glad you could stop here!
Although some us arrive there faster than others, we all can eventually reach the breaking point don’t we Joanne? Such a great quote and promise you shared. Have a wonderful weekend.
It is so true, Wanda. At times, we may not know our breaking point but God fully knows & is tender towards us. So wonderful to have you stop here!
Wow – wonderful words, Joanne! I absolutely loved that quote you’d written in your Bible. And I honestly never remember reading the one from Isaiah, either: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” – You have no idea how much I needed to hear this today. I’m taking all of these words with me. Truly a wonderful post and thank you for sharing today!
Jennifer, I am grateful those words spoke to your need. I have always found so much encouragement in reading Anne Lotz’s books. Glad I could share her words with you.
I’ve been at the breaking point quite a few times–enough to know that I won’t break–I’ll grow and God will help me. He’ll always carry me through.
Anita, it is so true. We may feel like we will break, but He always gives us what we need to make it through. May we stay the course because of Him. Blessings!
I’m feeling like that right now, Joanne. Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Janis, I truly am so sorry. Praying for you this morning. May God deposit into your heart all that you need to stay strong, to keep going, to not quit, to not break but to hold onto Him. And I mean those words most sincerely. May He bless you with more of Him today!
Powerful truth and promise here… one that we often forget when it feels like we are at or near our breaking point! Praying for you, knowing that He is holding on tight!
Karrilee, thank you for your words. I’m here today which means I did not break yesterday 🙂 He truly does hold onto us tightly. And He brings us what we need to get through. Yesterday it came in the form of sitting on the couch all afternoon with my adult daughter & son, each of us in blankets, talking & laughing. It did us all a world of good. Better than any medicine. Thank you for thinking of & praying. Blessings!
Love that Ann Graham Lotz quote! Thanks for sharing this with us today.
Blessings to you and yours.
I do too, Heather! I have so been blessed in reading her books. Her words always bless.
I’m so glad God knows my breaking point, much better than I do, and He never pushes us past that point. It is at that point that He gathers us into His arms and carries us. Love this post – keep on sharing !!!
I love the point you made, Rebecca. God not only knows our breaking point, it is AT THAT POINT that He gathers us close to Him. So glad you shared your thoughts with me!
Isaiah 43:3 has encouraged me greatly in my years. Thank you for this reminder today. So glad I stopped over friend! God bless you as you walk out your calling in your writing!
Thank you, Julie. And may you & yours have a blessed Easter!
Beautiful and thought provoking words! Visiting from the link up ☺
Charlotte, may you & yours have a blessed Easter!