It Starts Small

Suffering is a somber reality.

It does not matter if it is relational or a difficult circumstance, we all are suffering to a degree. It is not enough to experience it, but we also have to deal with it. We have two options:

Turn Bitter.

Embrace brokenness.

Bitterness is caused by looking at the “unfair” scoreboard. You look at how much others have and you do not and start putting marks in your box. Bitterness leads to resentment.

Brokenness, while a difficult reality to embrace, can create a unique opportunity for God to use us.

At the feeding of 5,000, Jesus broke bread and gave it to the disciples to give to the hungry. There are several applications to brokenness in this story. Just like the bread being passed to the hungry masses, our moments of brokenness is being passed to the hands of our good and faithful Father.

Our stories and testimony is greater than we are and much greater than our brokenness. When we are like disciples, we embrace our broken pieces to be used to nourish others. Our current suffering pales in comparison to what God wants us to do if we will only lean into our brokenness and allow God to have his way. In this special point of surrender, God is able to reveal His glory through us.

A comfort in the story of feeding the 5000 is to remember, the bread was broken n Jesus’ hands. In our time of brokenness, the most comforting thing to remember is that Jesus’ hands are holding our brokenness. His hands are more than capable of holding us and charting a path through which His glory can be revealed.

Thoughts to Ponder:

• Where are you with suffering and Brokenness?
• Are you Bitter? Resentful?
• How does bitterness or resentfulness interfere with our relationship with Jesus?
• How does our brokenness bring us closer to Jesus?

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.