Bruised reeds

"A bruised reed He will not break." (Isaiah 42:3)

Bruised reeds are symbols of people. The word "bruised" is used by Isaiah to refer to discouragement in life. We have all been bruised reeds from time to time. We all have experienced times when we were depressed, beaten and almost broken.

God says that he will not break the bruised reed. When you think about this illustration in terms of people, you realize what God is saying. Bruised people don't have their lives together. They are the people who do not live up to their own, or other's expectations. Society is quick to write off sad, struggling people, but Jesus does not.

When we are like bruised reeds, we need to understand that God hasn't given up on us. He is the reed-repairer. He is the One who can take a bruised reed and work with it until it becomes useful and make a difference once again.

Sometimes God even takes those bruised places in our lives and uses these experiences of hurt to enable us to understand pain better and are therefore able to help others who feel crushed by life’s experiences. And through helping others we too may be healed.