Frame of Mind

The day after Christmas, I enthusiastically challenged my nine-year-old grandson to a game of bowling. The standup video kind. We were having a blast—he was winning—until something caused me to lose my footing, and I went down. I apparently tried to break my fall with my arm, but instead I broke my arm with my fall. Badly.

When my fractured forearm was examined, I learned a new word: comminuted. A comminuted fracture is when the bone breaks into several pieces and needs more than simple resetting. In my surgery, for example, they had to reconstruct the shattered bones with grafts, plates and screws before they could realign them. But that was only the beginning. The doctor then had to splint my arm—to force the bones to stay in their proper position without moving so they could heal back together properly. That’s where I am at this writing—and it’s got me thinking. All that even the best doctor can do is REALIGN the bone fragments. The important work of healing kicked in when I submitted to an external stabilizer—a SPLINT—to hold the reassembled bones in place. No wiggle room. The process then requires sufficient TIME while God does the work that ONLY HE can do: HEAL what was broken and make it whole again.

In this broken world, every one of us runs the risk at any time of suffering a comminuted fracture of the HEART—when it feels like we’ve been shattered into a million pieces. It’s hardly even a question of IF … but WHEN. Whatever the cause, healing our emotional, spiritual, relational, or mental brokenness is ALWAYS possible with God … but it’s never a simple, one-step process. It requires realignment—perhaps even reconstruction—putting the pieces back together. And it’s going to take time, yes, lots of it. But it requires something more. Healing a broken spirit also requires voluntarily surrendering our brokenness and committing our wound to a fixed scriptural, spiritual, relational “splint.” Something solid to hold us and keep us from falling apart. We need a FRAME. A frame OF MIND. “Let this MIND be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5 KJV) God’s thoughts—His Will, Way, and Word that aligns and restores us with His strength and spiritual stability.

A “frame of mind” is defined as a particular mindset that influences one’s attitude or behavior. Not something anyone else can force on us but one we choose ourselves. This is where we can assist in the healing of our own brokenness—when we willingly accept the “splint” of God’s presence, His Word, and Holy Spirit to hold us in the way we need to be. Hearing and heeding the words: “THIS is the way; walk ye in it.”

GOD, in His all-sufficient grace, has supplied us with multiple spiritual “splints” to help us heal when we are broken:

• Jesus is a splint.  His strength is made perfect at the very point of our weakness. Where we are broken, He surrounds and holds us with His stabilizing and healing peace. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have PEACE (or be SET); In the world you shall have TRIBULATION (turmoil causing pain, anguish, trouble) but be of good cheer; I have OVERCOME (subdued, surrounded, prevailed over) the world (the cause of your pain).” (John 16:33)  Jesus’ very nature is faithfulness, and it works as a brace around us, stabilizing and keeping us steady. “For the Lord GOD will help me; … therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” (Isaiah 50:7 KJV) He HOLDS us in our weakness, and His strength makes us strong. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in (your) weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9 ASV)

 “O bless our God … which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our (broken limb) to be moved.” (Psalm 66:8-9 KJV)

• God’s Word is a splint. “I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.” (Psalm 23:4 AMP) Scripture works as a ROD of divine protection and correction. When we are bound to it, it continually holds us straight, aligning us to the commandments and character of the Lord. It is also a STAFF of direction and guidance in the way we should take. “I will give you insight and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8 LSB)
• The Holy Ghost is a splint. It gives us power to stay focused, anchored, and stable. “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11 NKJV)  David knew that the abiding power and peace of God sustains us through whatever valley He leads us through. “And the PEACE of God, which passeth all understanding, shall KEEP your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 KJV)

Sometimes the Holy Spirit splint works through Godly friends. Remember the story of Israel’s battle with the Amalekites? When Moses held up his hands, Israel triumphed. But when his arms grew heavy and they started to drop, the enemy seemed to gain the upper hand. That’s when Moses’ two friends came alongside him to hold up Moses’ arms. They formed a human “splint” for Moses, and, with their help, Israel won a great victory. In our brokenness, it’s important to remember that we are not alone. Submitting to the counsel and support of Spirit-led friends may well be the key to our healing.

“Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.” (1 Corinthians 15:43 NLT)

Prayer: Dear Jesus, I am broken—HOLD ME. As I submit my brokenness to You, I declare,” My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.” (Psalm 57:7 KJV) I praise You in advance for my healing and ultimate wholeness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.