Bent Not Broken
Romans 8:12–17; Psalm 67; Luke 13:10–17
For eighteen long years, this woman was hunched over, physically crippled, spiritually bound. Her body was bent, but her faith was not broken. Sometimes the heaviest burdens are invisible; guilt, regret, unforgiveness, and unhealed wounds. Some people walk straight but live bent, crippled not in body but in spirit. There is hope, you are bent not broken.
The Pharisees saw healing as a violation of Sabbath law. There are “Pharisaic systems” today that still cripple people: unjust governments, wicked policies, toxic traditions, and hypocritical judgments. Some demons hide in human systems, they wear robes, speak policies, and legislate bondage.
Jesus named it clearly, “a spirit of infirmity.” The term “spirit” (pneuma astheneias) indicates that her condition was not merely medical but spiritual — a demonic oppression that manifested physically.Not every sickness is natural; some are spiritual. The devil specializes in keeping men and women bent, unable to rise, unable to see straight, unable to look up to God.
But the same Jesus who spoke to her speaks to us today: “Woman, you are set free!” Dont give up, whatever bows you in shame, Christ can raise you in glory. See, when Jesus steps in, every long-term bondage meets its deadline. Have faith.
St. Paul says, “If we live according to the flesh, we shall die; but if by the Spirit we put to death the works of the flesh, we shall live.” True freedom is not just standing straight, it’s walking right. Those led by the Spirit walk tall, no matter the weight of their past. Grace is God’s hand straightening our bent souls.
Prayer
Father, free us from every crippling spirit; fear, guilt, pride, and pain. Straighten our hearts, heal our land, and make us stand tall in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
