05/13/2026
Devotional Reading
Brutalization
Why is it that we often find:
• God so distant?
• Our hearts so cold?
• The Scriptures so flat?
• Our efforts at ministry so fruitless?
WHY IS CONNECTING WITH GOD SO DIFFICULT?
One reason may be the fact that in the work environment we are brutalized
My guess is that to survive, we feel we have to be tough. Thick-skinned. A person who is impervious to pain, pressure… problems. Someone who has the answers.
So our work day is often characterized by a high degree of stress. Politics. Manipulation: Doing whatever it takes to win.
We become hardened. Jaded. Cynical. Cold. Exploitative. Brutalized. (2 Timothy 3:1-4)
Much in our professional world caters to pride: To impressing and being impressed. And when we carry this hardened attitude over into our approach to God, He simply will not be known, as our Heavenly Father responds only to the humble… To the poor in spirit. (James 4:6; Matthew 5:3)
Since the brutal work environment probably will remain with us, let me propose two solutions:
(1) That we settle in our soul the fact that it is God, not us, who meets our needs. "But remember the lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth… " (Deuteronomy 8:18). Once we understand God to be our provider, we are then free to serve people rather than manipulate them to our advantage.
(2) That we settle in our soul either that God's grace is sufficient in the circumstances, or that He will provide a way of escape from the circumstances. (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10; 1 Corinthians 10:13)
Once we choose to rest in the provision, grace, and sovereignty of God, intimacy with Him will become an increasing reality, the Scriptures will begin to come alive, and fruit in and through our lives will start to bud!
FMDD/PAH/FGMBC
