Life is lived either on the defensive or the offensive. When our hearts are broken, there is a time when we are living defensively - just hanging on, trying to get our minds around our circumstances, sometimes just trying to survive another hour, or another day. I know, I’ve been there. Broken hearts are deeply disorienting, dislocating our lives and forcing us to deal with our understanding of God. We realize the security we thought we had doesn’t exist. It can be deeply exhausting. 

But, there comes a day when the initial shock has worn off, when survival has turned into coping, and it is time to move from defense to offense. This is not an easy transition. It is far easier to live life defensively. It is sometimes easier to live in our own pain than to move beyond our pain. But here is the principle: Christ followers were not meant to live on the defensive but on the offensive.

Remember what Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Choosing to live offensively means deciding that we want the life to the full that Jesus offers. Otherwise, we allow the thief to steal that fullness of life and settle for a life diminished, less than it was meant to be.

When the initial shock wears off, what we are left with is fatigue, often depression, anger, sadness and uncertainty. And we face the question: Will I stay on the defensive, accepting less than can be, or will I go on the offensive and fight for what can be? The journey will be difficult for a while, but we can refuse to allow the thief to steal what does not belong to him. Remember, the Good Shepherd came to bring us life and life to the full, regardless of what we have been through.

One of the most significant offensive plays, when life has come undone, is the posture of our mind and heart - what we think about and what our hearts choose to embrace. Slow down for a moment and consider these words of Paul:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice!... The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is amenable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things… And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9)

Living offensively is not easy. It is easier to live defensively. It is easier to live with our disappointment, anger, depression and sadness, because that is how we feel when our hearts have been broken. And that is exactly what the thief wants us to do. The choice we make is whether we allow the thief to steal what God intended for us, or whether we push back and say, “NO!” I will not live with a diminished life. I am going to claim what the Good Shepherd wants to give me. I hope you will join me.

Father, You are the Good Shepherd, who came so that we can have life and have it to the full. You know the pain I have suffered and the wounds I have received. Now I ask You to heal my life and bring me toward wholeness and healing. Give me the courage to leave behind the wounds of the past and to press into a new future, full of Your grace and presence and power. Amen.