Why Some People Become Stronger in Suffering? A “Reversal” Story from the Cross
Every one of us has a story. 📖 In that story, there are moments of success and chapters filled with shame and pain. Perhaps your story contains an unforgivable hurt, a habit you can’t break, a deep sense of self-loathing, or a failure you desperately want to hide. These past chapters, like heavy chains, bind you to the spot, preventing you from truly moving forward.
You may have tried everything to change. You work hard, trying to use achievements to cover an inner emptiness. You seek new relationships, hoping others’ love can heal old wounds. You even force yourself to “move on,” pretending the pain never happened. But you find that no matter how fast you run, these shadows of the past always catch up. Your life seems to be defined by a script already written, and you are powerless to change it.
The Problem: Who Can Rewrite Your Broken Story?
We often mistakenly believe that we must fix and rewrite our lives with our own strength. But the Bible tells us that only one person can truly rewrite your story, and that is Jesus. And He rewrites stories through the seemingly weak but actually all-powerful Cross.
The cross isn’t just a religious symbol. It’s an event, a real historical event that has the power to completely transform your life’s story. It doesn’t erase your past, but it gives your past new meaning and opens a completely new future for you.
The Biblical Answer: From Shame to Glory, From Death to New Life
The power of the cross is that it simultaneously deals with the two most fundamental problems in the human story: sin and shame. Sin is the root cause of our separation from God, and shame is the poison that sin leaves in our hearts. Our life stories are broken because of these two forces at work.
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).” (Galatians 3:13, KJV)
This verse reveals the most core truth of the cross. Jesus took on all the “curses” for us. This includes all our sins, all our failures, and all our shame. On the cross, He not only forgave our sins but also completely washed away our shame. He didn’t shy away from our stories but nailed all our defilement and imperfection to that tree, and with His precious blood, He bought us cleansing.
The transformative power of the cross is seen in several ways:
- From a Slave to Sin to a Child of God: The cross offers us complete forgiveness. This forgiveness isn’t based on what you have done but on what Jesus has already done for you. When you accept His forgiveness, you break free from the chains of sin and step into a new identity—a child of God. The Power of Jesus’ Forgiveness
- From a Slave to Shame to an Heir of Glory: What Jesus bore on the cross was not just the penalty for sin but also the shame that comes with it. When you confess your past to Him, He clothes you in a robe of righteousness, so you are no longer ashamed of your past failures but are glorious because of His grace. From Shame to Glory
- From the End of Death to the Beginning of a New Life: The path of the cross ends in death, but it doesn’t stop there. Its destination is resurrection. This resurrection is not just for Jesus; it’s for you, too. When your old life is crucified with Him, you gain a new, hopeful life. New Life in Resurrection
Practical Application: How to Connect Your Story to the Cross
Connecting your story to the cross isn’t a one-time ritual; it’s an ongoing, daily decision.
- Acknowledge Your Story: Acknowledge the pain and failure in your story. Don’t hide it or beautify it. Only when you bravely face it can the power of the cross truly intervene.
- Bring Your Story to the Cross: Spend time in daily prayer, bringing your deepest shame and most difficult-to-forgive hurts to the cross. Pour your heart out to Jesus, asking Him to heal and renew you with His love and power. How to Pray
- Live Out Your New Story: Your new story isn’t one without pain, but one where pain is given new meaning. When you are forgiven, you have the power to forgive others. When you are released from shame, you have the courage to share your testimony with others. The Power of Forgiveness
Call to Action: Let Your Story Be His Testimony
The power of the cross is not meant to make you forget your past but to enable you to see it with new eyes. Your brokenness is a canvas for God’s grace.
- Today, write down one chapter of your life you most want to hide. ✍️ Bring it to the cross in prayer, asking God to heal it with His love.
- Tomorrow, start living the first page of your new story with one small act. ✨ Maybe it’s apologizing to someone, or helping someone in need.
- Share your story: 🫂 When you feel healed, bravely share your story with others. Your story will no longer be a testament to your shame but a living testimony to God’s grace and redemptive power. The Power of Sharing Your Testimony
Remember, God doesn’t need a perfect story from you; He just needs you to be willing to surrender your broken story to Him. As He weaves it with His love, your life’s story will be more beautiful and powerful than any version you could ever imagine.
