Hundreds of years before Christ came, Isaiah spoke of him; “A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not extinguish.” (Isaiah 42:3) If you have the feeling that you are barely hanging on – your light growing dimmer and weaker – this is a piece of good news for you to embrace.

What is a bruised reed? What is a dimly burning wick? Does it seem that lately there is a whole string of disasters? Things have been tenuous for a long time financially and then the job is completely lost. Chemo stopped working and now no other alternatives are being offered. After trying and trying divorce seems inevitable. Hope is fading.

In all your sorrows, trials and challenges, God is not out to break you or snuff you out. He is not capricious; snickering down on you from heaven as you twist in the wind. Exactly the opposite is true. Jesus said; “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

I know what it feels like to be a bruised reed. I also know what it is like to feel the hand of God touch me in such times, draw me into an embrace and light in me a new candle of hope. In fact, when they are over, it is the tough times that are most precious. That is because; “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Are you a bruised reed? Are you a dimly burning wick? Take God’s words to heart. Grab hold of them and plant them deep inside you because they are true. You will yet rise again. Believe it!