Living Changed: ForgivenessSample

Restoration

If we let the pain echo through us, it’ll overtake our lives. Instead, God offers us restoration. It’s through our surrender and by His healing power that God is able to put us back together better than we ever were. 

Too often, we believe lies about ourselves as a result of the hurtful things said and done to us. But when we surrender the lies that come with the hurts, God replaces them with truth. He reshapes our identity based on what He says about us and not based on how we were treated. He restores us back to the masterpiece He created before we were torn down by storms, demolition, and destruction. 

Restoration is where we begin to walk in the truth that we’re not what happened to us or what was said about us—we are children of God. Though others may reject us, He never will. We’re not victims. We’re victorious in Christ! It’s a shift in mentality and focus to recognize we are overcomers by the blood of Jesus. 

Restoration is the business He’s in. He raised Lazarus from the dead. He made the lame to walk and the blind to see. It’s what He does—repairs, heals, and gives life. When we trust Him with our pain and trust Him with our future, He is faithful to bring hardened hearts back to life.

It makes me think of a house. When age and weather have worn it down over time, houses need to be repaired by someone with experience. To restore a house, builders don’t just repaint the walls and install new carpet. They build a new foundation and reinforce the structure so it can stand against future wear and tear.

Just like a house, we need to repair our foundation before any external beautification is made. True restoration means taking the time to go through deep healing with God, so we can not only forgive others, but be vulnerable with them again. Restoration means loving those who hurt us out of obedience to Christ, and because we want to be more like Him. 

With a well-built home, strong winds can come and it won’t be knocked down. In our lives, God’s presence is enough to renew our minds, guide us toward peace that surpasses all understanding, and help us love others well—despite the storm blowing around us.

As you continue through the healing process, declare your faith in God’s power of restoration and ask Him to restore the broken pieces of your life. Ask Him to reveal His truth about who you are and let that, not your pain, reign over you. Finally, ask God to soften your heart so you can fully love the people around you.