Angela Nazworth
About the Author

Angela Nazworth is a shame-fighting storyteller who writes mostly about the beauty of grace, faith, friendship, vulnerability and community. She is a wife and a mother of two. Angela's also an encourager, a lover of good books, coffee, girl's night out, sunshine, and waterfalls. In the 15 years since she...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I love this part of the verse, “Great is our Lord & mighty in power” and especially “His understanding has no limit” this makes me feel loved, understood and with being understood, secure and safe. I feel peace from Gods compassion to me that I am encouraged to show more compassion to my children, family and others. I am so grateful with the abundance God has brought to my life…thank you Angela for this post that has spoken to me tonight!!

  2. Angela,
    Thank you for the reminder that many of us are walking around with a lot of hairline fractures…hurt heaped upon hurt. It’s hard to believe, sometimes, that others are as vulnerable as what I feel. As my dad would say, I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I realize that others do not. I hope and pray that I would see beyond masks and facades and extend compassion to others who may seem like they have it all together, but inside are a mass of hairline cracks. Gratitude…this is probably the one greatest healer of all our stress, fear, doubt, hurt. I find it hard to grumble and be gracious at the same time. I needed to read this and be reminded this morning!
    Blessings,
    Bev

  3. Lately I have felt God calling me to love more deeply, but not just that — more equally. Your words on compassion speak to that. When someone hurts me, it’s usually because they are secretly hurting. Praying for their hurts, along with my own, is good for the heart.

    • Praying for those who hurt us … No greater example of this was when Jesus, while on the cross, asked God to forgive his taunters and murderers. Hugs to you. Thank you for commenting

  4. You’re a such a good writer Angela, but more than that, you have a way of taking the pain of life and using it for His glory as you process and heal. Thank you for that gift and this beautiful post.

  5. I appreciate your message of empathy and gratitude. It’s true that no matter the pain, having a grateful heart to God is what He desires. Today, I don’t feel much gratitude. I know it’s not the Christian thing to say, but it’s how I feel this morning. Angela, can I kindly ask, what happens when the wound isn’t self-inflicted? Other people’s words and actions cut deep. It hurts and that hurt does cause jaggedness at times, because I feel the need to self-protect. The “I won’t let you get any closer because all you have done is hurt me.” This has been my experience and it’s wearying at best. Sorry, I know it’s not a happy comment, but it’s where I’m at today.

    • Dear Veronica,
      I’m so sorry that you are experiencing deep pain right now that was inflicted by someone else.

      Please do not feel like you ever need to apologize for feeling pain or for struggling with gratitude when life gets exquisitely difficult.

      In times like this, when the blow is fresh and repetitive it is ok to just sit with the feeling. But don’t sit alone. Cry out to Jesus. Allow Him and His words to help you through the journey. Great pain can help refine us for Christ’s glory. I know this well. I recently experienced great pain from a hurting friend. And I’m still hurting. I do try to find gratitude for what was and what positive could transpire from the fallout. But there is something said for a good soul cry and allowing your self time to heal. If you click on my profile, there are other articles I wrote on deep pain and loss. They may provide comfort to you now. Much love to you

      • This article is right on time for This Season of My Life. I’ve been through enormous pain, but my relationship with the Lord has blossomed, and so have I.
        I’ve been hit by a tsunami in every area of my life, but I’m still here! This must be a time of finding out who your friends are, dealing with pain and rejection, and feeling forgotten even by God.

        Ultimately, it’s great to know that we all suffer sometimes, but the Love, Honesty, Empathy that I’ve seen here has given me renewed hope.

    • Veronica,
      Prayers for you! I pray that God will heal those hurts! It is perfectly ok to feel pain or struggle when life gets messy! We love you and want to pray for you!
      Father
      Help Veronica! She needs your love, compassion, & mercy! Words have been said that cut deep & she needs a healer! Come near to her and hold her in your loving arms!
      AMEN!

  6. Angela, such a beautiful, timely post. I’ve definitely been that juice glass in the sink. Split clean apart, and then fractured by those hairline cracks. Right now, my oldest has just come through a time of being bullied, and his initial response (isn’t it all of ours, if we’re honest?) was anger, to hurt back for the hurt inflicted. My heart is so sad for him.

    I love your solutions for dealing with some of those hairline cracks. Compassion and gratitude. Now to help a 12 year old learn how to live these out.

    I needed your post today. Thank you.

    • Much love to you Jeanne and to your child. Such great wounds we get just by living. I was bullied for years and have found that compassion toward those bullies brought more healing than retaliation. It really is how Jesus came to us.

  7. I broke a little bottle of honey recently. Most pieces were big, but there were shards. Some even ended up in my dryer lint, from the cleaning rag. The honey oozed thick over the broken glass. It didn’t mend it, but God’s Word and love can. Sweet and kind words should be pouring over us as Christians. But there will always be those who choose bitterness,

  8. Such an insightful post, Angela. You are so right: If we’re not careful, damage brings damage, brokenness brings brokenness, pain brings more pain. Thank you for drawing our attention to the counterproductive reactions that actually make matters worse. Refocusing on compassion for others and gratitude to God, on the other hand, are healing strategies that really work. Lord, keep me mindful of these truths!

  9. Angela,

    We all have hairline fractures of the heart! Sometimes a word aptly said, failed attempts makes me feel unloved and unwanted. Lately

  10. And Glory to his Name because he is the Most High God. A deliver to cleanse and makeover of our soul.