Have you experienced a crushed spirit?

Let’s Journey Together and spend a Moment with Father. I’m Linda Goldfarb, and I want to encourage and inspire your walk with the Lord. For more encouragement, please visit LindaGoldfarb.com. I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m a fan of the Heartland series.

As a former horse owner, I enjoy the interaction between Amy’s character and the horses she is asked to help in their moments of crisis.

In one episode, a client asked Amy to prepare a wild horse for him to ride. The colt was strong-spirited. Amy’s goal was to gentle him, not break his spirit. Ultimately, she released the colt back into the open meadow to join his herd. When the client asked why, she said that breaking his spirit would wound the colt, lessening his potential to be a great horse.

Breaking or crushing our spirit leaves us dried up and useless.

Proverbs 17:22 ESV says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones.”

I’ve experienced a crushed spirit and moments when someone has spoken harmful words to me.

My countenance was brought low.
My self-esteem diminished.
My heart broke.

Yet God.

He brings joy into my life through friends, a renewed purpose, and the power of His Word.

When we revisit the Proverb above, we see that a joyful heart is good medicine. Just as God breathed life back into dry bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14), we can experience joy beyond a crushed spirit.

Imagine God breathing into you right now. 

Feel His presence surrounding you.
Stretch out your arms and receive all He has for you.
Breathe deep and be filled to overflowing with His love and joy.

Can you sense His joy? I can. 

Even as I write these words, I sense the Spirit releasing in me a joy beyond measure to encourage you, right where you are, to smile from deep inside and praise God, for He is with you, and He is for you.

Are you ready to release your crushed spirit?

Let’s journey together. 

Precious Father, I am filled with Your joy!
Your presence envelopes me.
Though my spirit was once crushed, I feel my dry bones returning to life.
Your Spirit fills me.
Your Word guides me.
Your strength gives me courage.
Your children give me hope.
Thank You, Abba. Thank You for never abandoning me.
Thank You for this day. Your breath. Your love.
I give You honor and glory.
Hallelujah.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves; do what it says. James 1:22

May YHWH bless you, keep you, and guide you in all you do. Until next time, this is Linda Goldfarb, and I’m so glad we are on this journey together with Father.