Excerpts from 30 Daughters Devotional
Written April 2018 by Deacon Rhetta Singleton Sanders

“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out His Word and
healed them; He rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his
wonderful deeds for mankind.” ~ Psalms 107:19-21

Depression, sin, abuse, neglect, rejection, betrayal, death of a loved one…all cause great emotional and spiritual
pain that hurts just as much or even more than physical pain does. God, our Great Physician can completely
heal our brokenness and bind our wounds, healing and making us whole. Spiritual and emotional healing is
often a process with steps that we need to put into action. We must allow God’s Word to guide our heart and
mind toward complete healing.

My brokenness happened with the unexpected passing of my husband, Sam. You talk about someone being
thrown for a loop, heart ripped from the chest, shattered beyond measure, that was me. I made it through the
days to follow making preparation in a fog. It seemed to be an outer body experience. Family and friends did
what they knew to do to be of support, comfort, and whatever I needed of them. At that moment, I didn’t know
what I needed myself.

A young lady gave me this scripture to meditate on. “Good people pass away; the godly often die before their
time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from
the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.” Isaiah 57:1-2 NLT
Often times it takes “being broken” to drive us to God. Our faith, our very lives, depend on Him, and when we
enter into the trenches of grief, we need God’s help or we will never climb out onto another mountain.
It wasn’t until I stopped allowing Sam’s death to consume my every thought that cause me to gradually stop
focusing on my health, that I was able to read God’s Word and let it penetrate my heart. God had my attention.
I could now see and understand somethings. Don’t get me wrong, the pain was still there. But I saw family
situations happened that would have been heart breaking to him. He was spared. Church issues came about
that would have grieved him. He was spared.

I don’t know the exact moment, but the healing process begun. How did I know you may wonder! It was when
I thought more and more about his living and the memories we made together, than of his death. It was when
those moments of reflection brought a smile, instead of tears. I wish I could say that it happened instantly or it
only took several months, I can’t. I can say six years later, I’m still being healed.

We can persevere in our brokenness when we allow God to carry us in His arms and lead us to the time and
place where He will heal us. God often uses moments in our lives to move each of us closer to Him. Someone
said you go through it, but you don’t get over it. Yet, time softens memories and the presence of God helps us
not only to survive but to help others. And helping others is a great step in the healing process.
When we are weak and powerless, God is there to give us strength. When we lack wisdom, He will supply it.
When we admit that we cannot heal ourselves, we ask and allow God to take over, we will be on the road to
spiritual health. It must be on God’s time. “We must not limit or dismiss God’s ability, when the process
doesn’t look like the promise God made to us.” (Pastor Andre Osborne) God knows what’s best for us.
Prayer – Heavenly Father, God of all that I am. My Creator, Sustainer, Giver of every good and perfect gift,
everything that I need, good evening!

I am feeling so blessed for my life. God, You stayed true to Your Word. You never left me as I experienced dark
days and lonely nights. Even when I didn’t think that You were there, didn’t sense Your Presence. Thank You
for not giving up on me, when I wanted to give up on myself. You told me I could get up and live or continue
as I am and die, the choice was mine to make. I chose to live. You fulfilled Your promise to turn around for
my good what was meant for my demise. I thank You Lord. I want to be all that You created me to be. I want
to be a blessing to others, as You have blessed me. Create in me a clean heart and renew the right spirit within
me. Forgive me of my sins. Help me to always seek You first and foremost. I love and worship You, for You
are the God of my salvation. All of my help is in You. I bless Your wonderful name. My prayers, my petitions
I ask in Your Son Jesus Christ’s Name. Amen!

                                                           In His Hands,