The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“A bent reed he will not break off and a dimly burning wick he will not extinguish; he will faithfully bring forth justice.”

—Isaiah 42:3

Sometimes, we are bent and injured—just on the point of breaking. Sometimes, the fire of our faith is dim and flickering, and we fear it’s about to go out.

Our Lord does not crush us in our weakness. He does not shame us for being hurt and weak.

We often think of him as a taskmaster up in heaven judging us for not being good enough, shouting down reprimands like a harsh parent or a cruel master.

But he is gentle and loving. He says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is comfortable, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

He understands that this world is full of hurt, difficulty, evil, and injustice. He was no stranger to these things in his own life, and he assures us that he will not only handle our brokenness and sorrow with care, but justice will also prevail against the evil we face.

When we’re bruised and about to break, he wants to tend us gently as a plant on the verge of dying. He is the water and the light to bring us back to life. When we’re flickering and sputtering, the breath of the Holy Spirit will fan the flames of our souls to give us new energy and hope (Ezekiel 37:9–14).

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