From Beyond Repair to Restored - Encouragement for Today - April 28, 2025
From Beyond Repair to Restored
MESHALI MITCHELL
Lee en español
“The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21b (ESV)
The toilet is backed up. Again. It’s happened often enough now that I know all the usual tricks will do no good.
Once more, I call a plumber for a quick fix. The total at the bottom of the invoice shocks me every time.
In February 2021, I’m in even bigger trouble. The Great Texas Freeze happens, a weather disaster that cripples the whole state and all of my plumbing. For a while I have no running water at all. And then suddenly I have too much — running in all the wrong places.
It’s beyond repair.
But a broken toilet is not the worst thing that can happen to a person. I know this because at other points in my life, I’ve imagined sitting in the ashes with Job after he’d lost everything, wondering what had become of his life, his efforts and his God.
I can almost hear Job whisper, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21b).
Three of Job’s close friends, who first wept with him and grieved his losses, later had plenty to say about the state of his life:
Your suffering is your fault.
You need to repent of being evil and try harder to be good.
You’re beyond repair.
God strongly rebuked these men. They failed to speak the truth about Job, for God Himself had said, “There is none like [Job] on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8, ESV). Worse, Job’s friends spoke untruths about God. The Lord demanded their repentance for perpetuating lies.
And what is the truth? The Lord revealed it to Job and his friends in Job 38-41: God is unfathomable. And at the bottom of those unfathomable depths, He is love.
Picture this: After the freeze ends, the plumbing crew restores my old pipes. After hours of work, they finally turn on the water … and it flows freely.
Everything begins to work as it should. I can feel my stress flow away. I wash dishes and clothes, take showers without incident. I stop thinking twice about inviting guests into my home.
And while it cost me something (a lot of something), it’s worth every penny.
Friend, who is telling you that you’re beyond repair? Are you starting to doubt the goodness of God because of the lies you’re believing? You are not beyond repair. In fact, God has a good plan of restoration for you.
Living with “broken plumbing” is not the only option available to us, despite what it may seem. “All things new” is our story with God (Revelation 21:5, ESV). In partnering with Him through Scripture and Spirit, we will be transformed into the fullness of God’s desires for us.
Lord, help me to set aside the voice of condemnation when I feel beyond repair. Show me the Truth of who You are and the abundant love You have for me, even when I’m struggling. Transform me through the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Every one of us has broken places inside. Every one of us needs restoration. Join photographer and writer Meshali Mitchell on the journey of heart restoration, which God worked in her through her 1920s farmhouse restoration, as she shares in her book, Restored: Partnering with God in Transforming Our Broken Places.
ENGAGE
Learn more about Meshali and her book here! Or follow her on Instagram.
Enter to WIN your very own copy of Restored by Meshali Mitchell. To celebrate this book, Meshali’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, May 5, 2025.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Revelation 21:5, “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (NIV).
Romans 6:4, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (NIV).
Think about a “broken place” in your life right now. How might God be doing a work of restoration in that place or in you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
© 2025 by Meshali Mitchell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
