No matter how old we are, what we’ve seen, or what our status is in life, all of us have experienced brokenness. Whether it’s the broken down car on the side of the road, a broken relationship that needs healing, or a broken career that leaves us feeling alienated and lonely, we all experience brokenness.

In the economy of God, the Bible is very clear that brokenness is actually a good thing. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Bible says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Here, God seems to be bragging on brokenness. Why would He say this is a good thing?

An old friend of mine recently gave me an analogy that I think can really bless you if you understand the value of brokenness:

“If you pour your favorite liquid into a plastic cup and the cup has a crack in it, the liquid is going to end up all over the counter, or wherever you set the cup. You’re going to be frustrated because the liquid you wanted to drink is going to be all over the place. However, if the goal is for the liquid to show, to leak out, then you’ve accomplished your goal and the liquid is now seen all over the table. But if the goal is to only keep the liquid in the cup, then you’ve failed.”

You see, the reality is that God has allowed us to be broken vessels. We are broken cups and He’s pouring His Spirit into us and when we’re broken, the Spirit comes out of us and is manifested all around us. It sits on the tables, chairs and carpets of our lives so that we can make a difference in the lives around us.

So don’t resent brokenness. Even though it may not be fun and it may not be an easy way, God is using brokenness for His glory. Praise God for brokenness! His power is made perfect in our weakness.

— Jack Easterby, New England Patriots chaplain

The Increase, part of the Sports Spectrum Network, is a community of Christian pro athletes sharing their personal stories of the decrease of self and the increase of Christ (John 3:30). Visit TheIncrease.com for more stories and videos.