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31 Days: Braving the Broken

09.18.2015 By Lisa Appelo 61 Comments

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Can you even believe that we are on the brink of fall? You may be already feeling a chill in the air and seeing golden leaves on your sidewalks. Here in Florida, we’ve had two mornings this week that dipped low enough for us to know the dog days of summer are ending but it will be a long time before the temps drop enough to pull out hot tea and sweaters. And yet we’re only two weeks from October. Wow!

I so appreciate you reading along here at True and Faithful; I appreciate your comments and emails. And I want to let you know about a new series I’m excited to launch in October. Starting October 1st, I’ll be writing a 31 day series called Braving the Broken. What do we do when life shatters? How do we get back up on our feet and walk out a life that’s broken?

I can tell you that in the four years since Dan has died, my heart has been broken and reshaped. Part of what God has done is to give me a heart to encourage and proclaim with every breath I have that God is faithful.

Every single day, I wish that Dan was here with us and there are still plenty of moments when the missing is huge and the void is so apparent. When our life collapsed around us four years ago, I needed to know that hope wasn’t just for eternity. I needed hope this side of heaven and I pretty much needed a fresh infusion every day.

I needed to know that we could walk through the pain and that we would see joy again.  On the mornings when despair threatened to keep me in bed, I desperately needed God’s truth to plant my feet.

We all do. Glance around at your friends and neighbors and you can easily see that life dishes up some hard. Right now I have several friends going through such difficulties and these friends bubble to the top of my thoughts in the quiet moments. I can pray for them and that’s a good thing, but the flesh in me wants to make it right. I want the pain to go away and for it all to be fixed.

But the spirit in me has learned that God pervades the hard spaces and that walking out our trials and suffering with God is actually best. If we allow it, we will hear Him more, see Him more and learn more of Him in the hard than we ever did when life rolled along comfortably.

That’s what we’ll explore in October. We’ll look at how to anchor a broken life in hope and some very practical steps for walking through trials and suffering. We’ll look at how to adjust to the change that difficulties can bring, I’ll share the resources that have helped me the most in the last four years and so much more.

I’d love for you to join this journey! Here are two things you can do:

First, sign up with your email to have each day’s content delivered directly to you. You will be able to access the posts on the blog but each weekend in October, I’ll send out to those on the email list a beautiful Bible verse that can be printed and framed.

You can sign up for 31 Days: Braving the Broken here. 

Second, if you know someone who would benefit from this series of Braving the Broken, will you share this with them? Invite them to join us. I pray that God will use this series to move us forward and closer to Him.

xoxo friends.

*You can also join this community over on the Facebook page for more encouragement.

Day 1: When You Want to Know How it Ends
Day 2: Helpless Dependence on God our Helper
Day 3: Free Printable Scripture for You!
Day 4: Sunday Rest
Day 5: Hope that’s More than Wishful Thinking
Day 6: Grace in Seasons of Suffering
Day 7: A Giveaway! And a Favorite Book for Braving the Broken
Day 8: The Daily Exchange: My Thoughts for God’s Thoughts
Day 9: Eyes to See Good in Seasons of Suffering
Day 10: A Free Gratitude Printable
Day 11: SundayRest
Day 12: God’s Strength Made Perfect in Our Weakness
Day 13: 5 Reasons to Keep a Journal (and margin symbols to find what you’ve written)
Day 14: $500 DaySpring Shopping Spree Giveaway!
Day 15: What I Learned about Joy when it’s Hard
Day 16: Spiritual Warfare in Seasons of Suffering
Day 17: A Weekend Scripture Printable 
Day 18: Sunday Rest
Day 20:
Day 21: In times of Need: Learning to Receive
Day 22: Eleven *Rules* for Hard Seasons
Day 23: The Good Refining of Brokenness
Day 24:
Day 25: Sunday Rest
Day 26:
Day 27: The Good Fruit in Brokenness
Day 28: 3 Truths for Life this Side of Heaven (because this world is not my home)

 

Filed Under: 31 Days Braving the Broken, Grief & Healing

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    09.18.2015 at 12:50 pm

    I found you through Pinterest and I’m super excited but the link to sign up isn’t working for me.

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      09.19.2015 at 6:18 am

      Sarah, I’m sorry the link isn’t working for you. I’ve checked to make sure the link is up but if it still doesn’t work for you, let me know. Thank you and I’m happy you’re joining us!

      Reply
  2. Pam says

    09.18.2015 at 1:13 pm

    Can’t wait for the new series. Thank for you and allowing God to use your deepest, darkest days to help others. Only God. Love you, Lisa!

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      09.19.2015 at 6:13 am

      Thank you Pam, always for your prayer and encouragement. That is a gift from God. <3

      Reply
  3. Bethany says

    09.23.2015 at 12:11 pm

    Signed up! What a blessing! Thank you for sharing this hard-earned wisdom : ) #WomenWithIntention

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      09.23.2015 at 2:26 pm

      Glad you are joining us Bethany!

      Reply
  4. Valerie Sisco says

    09.23.2015 at 3:27 pm

    Hi Lisa,
    I’m your neighbor at Holley’s link-up today. I admire you for taking on the 31 days challenge! It take me an entire week to churn out just one post a week, so I don’t think I could do it, but I’m eager to read your thoughts! (And I live in Florida too, and yes, we dropped a degree or two in the past week but not enough to get out the sweaters yet, right?!)

    Reply
  5. Andrea Dillard says

    09.24.2015 at 12:02 am

    I have signed up several times but never get a confirmation email

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      09.24.2015 at 1:13 am

      Andrea, I don’t see your email in the signup. I”m happy to add your email to the list if you’d like.

      Reply
      • Andrea Dillard says

        09.25.2015 at 11:06 am

        Yes please
        amdteach@yahoo.com

        Reply
  6. Rachel Britton says

    09.24.2015 at 12:40 pm

    Hello Lisa. As I was reading how you say walking out our trials with God is actually best, it made me think about the quote I saw by John Ortberg the other day which reads: “If you ask people who don’t believe in God why they don’t, the number one answer will be suffering. If you ask people who believe in God when they grew most spiritually, the number one answer will be suffering.” Praying your 31 days will reach lots of women.

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      09.24.2015 at 12:45 pm

      Wow, Rachel, I love that quote. And it is spot on. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    • Sarah Koontz says

      09.30.2015 at 12:39 pm

      The same thing stuck out to me, it is so wonderful to hear someone who has been through a trial say that suffering with God is actually best. It boosts my faith and gives me hope that I will be able to weather the storms of life with my Savior as well.

      Reply
      • Lisa Appelo says

        09.30.2015 at 2:03 pm

        Thank you Sarah for kind words.

        Reply
  7. Jen Ferguson says

    09.24.2015 at 6:43 pm

    This sounds so amazing, Lisa! I am signing up and hoping to forward the pieces to a friend in need.

    Reply
  8. Sheila @ Making the Most of Every Day says

    09.28.2015 at 1:30 am

    I signed up!

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      09.28.2015 at 12:10 pm

      Thank you Sheila! Glad to have you here.

      Reply
  9. Kristi Woods says

    09.29.2015 at 4:47 pm

    Love it, Lisa. Praying for each word and the words that will hear. #goGodgo (And you continue to amaze me!)

    Reply
  10. Susan B Mead says

    09.30.2015 at 12:53 pm

    Lisa, what a beautiful exploration it will be! And the HOPE… A blessing for so many. Excited to be reading as you journal the journey. Hugs. Susan

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      09.30.2015 at 2:02 pm

      Thank you Susan I know you’ve walked through this as well and know the hope that Christ brings.

      Reply
  11. Faith R says

    09.30.2015 at 7:46 pm

    Wow – I am so glad that I clicked through to your blog. I can not wait to read more of your series for write 31 days. Our trials have looked really really different but I know that our Big God is so faithful in the middle of our broken places. Can not wait to read more.

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      09.30.2015 at 9:52 pm

      Faith, I’m glad you’ll be joining. Yes, we have a faithful God.

      Reply
  12. Andrea Dillard says

    09.30.2015 at 10:43 pm

    Just double checking that you added me, still haven’t received emails, but didn’t know if I should have yet

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      10.01.2015 at 3:37 am

      I did add you Andrea. The first post will go out tomorrow. Please let me know if you don’t get it.

      Reply
  13. Carol says

    10.01.2015 at 6:41 pm

    This sounds like a wonderful series! I love the idea of hope THIS side of heaven…

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      10.01.2015 at 11:53 pm

      So much hope this side of heaven, Carol. Glad you’re here.

      Reply
  14. Becky M says

    10.01.2015 at 11:50 pm

    I am so glad to have found you! My husband passed away in January and I’ve been feeling like I’m the only one writing about brokenness, loss, and living with courage! Looking forward to reading your words this month.

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      10.01.2015 at 11:52 pm

      Becky, I felt that same way. I’m so glad you’re here as well and I pray that the posts this month will be some balm for what you’re going through. Praying for you even as I write this.

      Reply
  15. Heidi says

    10.02.2015 at 6:02 am

    So glad I decided to click this button in the linky to find out more! I’m eager to follow along. I’ve braved my own brand of broken and am so thankful for people who are willing to share their own stories so I can learn and grow with them.

    Reply
  16. Joy says

    10.02.2015 at 5:22 pm

    What a great topic! Looking forward to reading more!

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      10.02.2015 at 7:22 pm

      Thank you Joy for joining us!

      Reply
  17. Rachel says

    10.03.2015 at 7:42 am

    Hi Lisa, what a beautiful site you have xx I am joining in on the Write 31 Days Challenge too, on 31 Days of Faith x Cannot wait to follow along with everyone 🙂

    Reply
  18. Brittany Willard says

    10.05.2015 at 5:05 am

    Hello. Excited to start following along here with you. Love how this challenge is pushing us to write freely & beautifully!

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      10.05.2015 at 12:10 pm

      I’m glad you’re here Brittany! Hats off to writing all month.

      Reply
  19. Tara says

    10.06.2015 at 9:09 pm

    Lisa, what a neat series. And very brave of you to write. Your post here makes me think of one of my favorite Bible verses: PSalm 30 verse 5 “Weeping may come for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” I hope that you are starting to see some joy in the midst of your grief and sadness. My post today is all about finding God’s grace in the midst of sadness. God is a gracious merciful loving God which I am so very thankful for. May you too be blessed by God’s grace and goodness! Blessed to be your neighbor at Tell His Story today!

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      10.06.2015 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you Tara for visiting. I love that verse and have prayed it in anticipation over our family.

      Reply
  20. Lori Schumaker says

    10.08.2015 at 2:03 am

    Lisa,
    What a beautiful 31 days of hope! I am praying and believing that God will minister to the hearts of many through this series!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

    Reply
  21. Valerie says

    10.08.2015 at 2:32 am

    Lisa,
    What an inspiration you are! When I read about what you have been through, my heart sinks and I can’t even imagine that pain. My husband has been diagnosed with panic/anxiety and a lot of times he feels like he is going to die. The panic causes his heart to skip beats and he worries that it’s something more than panic. So sometimes I feel fear that He will have something happen to him and I will be left with raising 4 kids on my own. But I know that no matter what happens God gets us through. I look forward to reading how God helps you endure through your grief. Thank you for using your pain to help others.

    Reply
  22. Suzanne says

    10.28.2015 at 5:36 pm

    I just discovered your series. How inspiring. Thank you very much for sharing.

    Reply
    • Lisa Appelo says

      10.28.2015 at 6:06 pm

      Glad you found us, Suzanne. 🙂

      Reply
  23. Maria Victoria P Canaria says

    09.22.2016 at 5:27 am

    Very timely. This is what my prayer is all about today.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Helplessly Dependent on God our Helper - True and Faithful says:
    10.02.2015 at 3:23 am

    […] This is Day 2 of 31 Days: Braving the Broken. You can read the series here. […]

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  2. Hope that's More than Wishful Thinking - True and Faithful says:
    10.05.2015 at 12:23 pm

    […] the full 31 Day series, you can sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox. You can read the rest of the series here. And like the Facebook page for even more encouragement in your […]

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  3. Day 6: Grace in Seasons of Suffering - True and Faithful says:
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  4. Day 7: A Giveaway! And a Favorite Book for Braving the Broken - True and Faithful says:
    10.07.2015 at 4:34 am

    […]   This is Day 7 in our 31 Days series on Braving the Broken. If you’d like to join, I’d love for you to subscribe here and read along with us. And you’ll find even more encouragement in our Facebook community here.You can find all the posts in 31 Days: Braving the Broken here.  […]

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  5. The Daily Exchange: My Thoughts for God's Thoughts - True and Faithful says:
    10.08.2015 at 3:22 am

    […] This is Day 8 of 31 Days: Braving the Broken. Thank you so much for joining me.  If you’d like to join us, you can subscribe here and join us on Facebook here for even more encouragement. You can find the full 31 Days: Braving the Broken here. […]

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  6. Eyes to See Good in Seasons of Suffering - True and Faithful says:
    10.09.2015 at 6:49 am

    […] This is Day 9 of 31 Days: Braving the Broken. I’d love to have you join us for this series by subscribing here and join us on Facebook here for even more encouragement. You can find the full 31 Days: Braving the Broken here. […]

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  7. God's Strength Made Perfect in Our Weakess - True and Faithful says:
    10.12.2015 at 1:20 pm

    […] see you in our Facebook community here.  This is part of the 31 Days: Braving the Broken series. You can find all of the posts here or subscribe for […]

    Reply
  8. Titus 2 Tuesday #177 - Cornerstone Confessions says:
    10.13.2015 at 12:01 am

    […] 31 Days: Braving the Broken – Lisa Appelo  Lisa Appelo at True and Faithful writes with eloquence and heart. She is a recently widowed Mama of 7. She knows grief and there is no one better to encourage you and give you strategies to step out of the hard places in life and find joy again. You’ll want to read what you missed and follow the rest of this month as she journeys through these 31 day of Braving the Broken! […]

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  9. 5 Reasons to Keep a Journal (and margin symbols to find what you've written) - True and Faithful says:
    10.13.2015 at 2:29 pm

    […] This is Day 13 of 31 Days: Braving the Broken.  I’d love to have you join us for this series by subscribing here and get the free printables sent to subscribers. You can also join us on Facebook here for even more encouragement. The full 31 Days: Braving the Broken series can be found here.  […]

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  10. What I Learned about Joy when it's Hard - True and Faithful says:
    10.15.2015 at 7:34 am

    […] If you don’t want to miss a post, I’d love to have you join us for this series by subscribing here and get the free printables sent to subscribers. For even more encouragement, join us on Facebook. The full 31 Days: Braving the Broken series can be found here.  […]

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  11. Spiritual Warfare in Seasons of Suffering - True and Faithful says:
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  12. Day 22: Eleven Rules for Hard Seasons - True and Faithful says:
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  13. The Good Refining of Brokenness - True and Faithful says:
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  17. How Will This End? | Seeking Passionate Prayer in Spiritual Warfare says:
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  19. No More Self-Centered Bible Study - True and Faithful says:
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    […] This is Day 13 of 31 Days: Braving the Broken.  I’d love to have you join us for this series by subscribing here and get the free printables sent to subscribers. You can also join us on Facebook here for even more encouragement. The full 31 Days: Braving the Broken series can be found here.  […]

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  20. When You Need Your Joy Back - True and Faithful says:
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    […] visiting from (in)courage. You can read our story here and find some of my favorite posts on grief and healing here.  And if you’d like encouragement right to your inbox, you can subscribe here and I’ll […]

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