That which is broken is viewed as being fractured, no longer in working order or one piece. There are things broken that are violently separated, having been damaged or shattered. When the broken are ruptured or torn in the process, a sundering of the spirit can occur.
Children of broken homes, spouse of a broken marriage/relationship, or somebody who’s suffered desertion by a parent or partner can suppress the hurt. Over time, suppressed hurt can reemerge in other ways. Such as hurting others or having an expectancy of abandonment. This expectancy can lead to acts of self-sabotage by deliberately destroying or damaging future relations. We must recognize in ourselves the symptoms of brokenness. Repeated self-sabotaging behavior is a clear indicator of suppressed hurt. Because hurt people, hurt other people in their misguided attempt at avoiding rejection. Leaving in their wake a string of ruined relationships, all the time failing to realize that they are a broken vessel. Denial sets in and the pattern continues, often for an entire lifetime.
Internal struggles can reveal themselves when a long silence can sporadically alternate with a soft and gentle or loud and angry voice. This may imply that one has a view of self as being imperfect in the eyes of others, though the imperfection is an inner affliction. Veiled in shallow self-confidence, demonstrated by an inability to focus or make appropriate choices and/or decisions.
Through revelation of scripture we can see the effects of brokenness in our lives. Whether heartbreak or physical limitation, we can step outside of our neatly packaged flawed humanity. By admitting and placing our brokenness before the Lord, we can heal. There is no peace in life without grasping an understanding of our own unidentified suffering. Until we call it out and place it before God, we will continue our self-destructive behavior under the false assumption that our flaws are hidden.
Psalm 51:1-10
51 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Leviticus 26:13
13 “I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.”
1 Samuel 2:4
4 “The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.”
2 Samuel 5:20
20 “And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lordhath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.”
2 Samuel 22:35
35 “He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms”
2 Kings 11:6
6 “And a third part shall be at the gate of Sur; and a third part at the gate behind the guard: so shall ye keep the watch of the house, that it be not broken down.”