Below the Ice

Hey Sis, let's get right to it:

A lot of what we portray to the world was birthed out of survival and experiences that once broke us but still have a hold. The exterior, or at the surface level, is what we present in order to protect ourselves or to compensate for the afflictions we feel in our soul. These experiences can include rejection, abandonment, heartbreak, grief and loss, abuse, and other traumas. These are the parts of our stories that, no matter how much time passes, we still remember as if it was yesterday. These are the parts that we diligently ensure no one else knows or sees. However, there is One who can see through it all. Our Father.

God is a God of depth. God does not concern Himself or focus on our outward appearance and the ways we layer ourselves to makeup for blemishes. He looks at the heart and the soul. He created us and knows us to the core. He is an all knowing God. And what I love most about Him is that even still, with Him knowing all our flaws and the things we try to hide, He still loves us dearly. Truthfully, our brokenness is what makes Him love us even more (Psalm 34:18). I mean think about it, our brokenness is what always leads us back to Him. It is through our brokenness that His glory is ultimately revealed, because in our weaknesses is where His strength is invited to come in (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).

And we see this in the woman at the well. She carried the weight of rejection, shame, and broken relationships. Beneath the surface, her soul was weary and searching. But when she encountered Jesus, He did not avoid the broken places. He met her there. He exposed what was beneath the surface, not to condemn her, but to heal her. And through that encounter, the very place that once held shame became the place where her transformation began.

Where the Breaking Takes Place: Below the Ice

God also is more concerned with what’s beneath the surface, because the root is what produces the fruit. Why would God inspect the fruit without first inspecting the root? Just like an iceberg, what is visible above the surface is only a small portion, while the deeper foundation beneath determines its stability, direction, and form. In the same way, the fruit in our lives is sustained or hindered by what remains hidden beneath the surface.

As Believers, we are called to reflect His image. Nothing more, nothing less. This is not about perfection but it is about being perfected in Christ. As we walk with Him, our souls must be restored so that healing can take place, followed by better produced fruit (John 15:2). Fruit that will ultimately reflect His character and nature. This is why the process of breaking must take place, and there is no other way around it.

God is the only one who can get to the root and begin to break off soul ties, false identities, bitterness, fears, insecurities, and so much more. But again, this process of breaking requires us to yield. It requires us to take off the masks, take off the personas, false identities, and allow God to deal with what we have worked decades to conceal. It amazes me how we have become so good at showing up, appearing put together, unbothered, and like the strong one. But beneath all of that there is anxiety, anger, shame, and an iceberg of insecurities.

You didn’t ask for this. The pain and the heartache. I know Sis. I know you're tired of hurting. I know you lose hope at times and feel like no one will ever understand. But this is my heart for you. Allow God to break the ice and heal what’s beneath the surface. He is the only One that can not only see beneath the surface, but He is the only One that can get beneath the surface and facilitate the necessary breaking that will bring forth transformation, fruitfulness, and freedom.

Allow Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this season you have me in. I will always praise you, even in seasons of breaking, for I know that your breaking will lead to breakthrough. May your glory be revealed in every test that will become a testimony. Lead me and guide me on this narrow path that leads to life. Remove distractions and anything that will try to keep me stuck.

Thank you for seeing me for me. Thank you for loving me despite my flaws and the things I do not allow the world to see. It is only by your grace and mercy that I am standing here today. It is not in my own wisdom, abilities, or strength. So Lord, I pray that you will break pride, perfectionistic behaviors that mask my flaws, performance, and the need to always appear strong.

Break it all, Lord. Everything that is not of you and that keeps my soul void. Fill me up, Lord, as you know everything I need. I thank you that You know the parts of me that no one else sees and still love me. I pray for healing, transformation, and fruit that will be evidence of your power and your glory when one decides to follow you and be led by your Spirit.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scriptures to meditate on this week:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (NIV, Psalm 34:18)

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (NIV, 2 Corinthians 12:9)

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (NIV, John 15:2)