Bent but Not Broken

THIS WEEK’S BOLD STEP DEVOTION

“When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.”  Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.”
(Luke 13:12–13)

I once saw a tree growing along the side of a mountain trail that had been bent almost sideways by years of harsh wind. Its trunk was twisted, its shape distorted, and yet it was still alive. What struck me most was that new growth was still coming from its branches. Though the pressure around it had altered it, life remained within it.

In Luke 13, Jesus encountered a woman who had been bent over for 18 years. She lived in constant pain, and yet she continued showing up at the synagogue week after week. She sat in a place of worship yet remained bound by fear, shame, and suffering. Jesus stopped, called her forward, and declared freedom over her life. In a moment, the One who created her restored what years of pain had distorted. Jesus saw beyond her physical condition to her spirit, her soul, and the identity buried beneath years of brokenness.

Many people today are carrying invisible weight that has bent them emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Fear, shame, anxiety, bitterness, sin, and disappointment slowly shape the way we live and see ourselves. Over time, we can begin believing that our distortion is our identity. But Jesus reminds us that bondage is not your destiny. The power of God is able to restore what life has twisted. He still calls people forward today, not to shame them, but to heal them and make them whole.

Bold Step Challenge:
Ask God to reveal any area where you have accepted bondage, fear, or distortion as “just the way you are.” Bring it honestly before Him and take one step of faith toward freedom this week. Jesus still restores bent lives.

Prayer:
Father, thank You that You see beyond my outward struggles and know the deeper places of my heart. Thank You that You are not intimidated by my pain, my history, or my brokenness. Help me believe that You still bring healing, freedom, and restoration. Give me the courage to respond when You call me forward. Straighten what has been bent in me and restore me into the person You created me to be. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Listen to the sermon: Love Stops for Healing

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