The Sweet Lesson of Bruised Bananas and Herbs

Bananas and Herbs.  

One was my morning breakfast, and the other was a morning chore. But, as God typically does – He uses the simplest things to teach me powerful lessons. 

I had the banana for breakfast this morning, even though it looked worse for wear. Because of the dark bruising on the peel, my expectations were low. I expected it to be bitter or without taste, but to my surprise, it was sweet. In fact, it was sweeter than normal. 

I immediately went to research why. From my research, it appears that there is a scientific reason for fruit bruising and the increased level of sweetness. It seems that ethylene in fruit causes a “bruised” appearance and makes the fruit ripen and taste sweeter and less tart.

Who knew?

I moved on to my morning chore, which involved my herbs. I knew they smelled wonderful coming straight from my garden, but watching all of the cooking shows on TV, I also know that they need to be bruised to be at their peak. To be the most useful and aromatic, they must be broken. Why? Each cell that makes up the leaf or stem of the herbs appears to be filled with tasty oils. These oils are released when the leaf or stem is bruised due to the bursting of many cell walls simultaneously. Bruising causes a much more pungent flavor than a simple cut.

Huge spiritual lesson!

I have to say – that the lesson hit home with me. Even though I’m walking through a season of restoration, sometimes I feel broken and bruised. I have some residual bruising and emotional soreness in spots that I fear may be there forever. 

But this lesson showed me that bruising and soreness can bring a tenderness that God can use. It can bring a sweetness that the Holy Spirit can speak through. It strengthens you as an example of His faithfulness to others walking that same road.

There are so many people in the Bible who were bruised and used.

Joseph: (Genesis 37, 38, 39) 

He was bruised by being thrown in a hole by his siblings but was used by God to touch the lives of thousands of people.

Moses: (Exodus 2) 

He was bruised by being placed in a river, given away by his mother to save him, but used by God to save a nation. Without that bruising, he would have never been in a place to be used by God.

Jonah: (Jonah 1, 2) 

He was bruised when a fish ate him, but God used the breaking of his spirit to spread His word. 

Woman with the flask of ointment: (Mark 14:13) 

She had to bruise and break a flask of precious oil before using that perfumed expensive ointment to anoint the feet of Jesus. Without it being broken, it could not be used. 

And Jesus: 

He was certainly bruised but used as the sacrifice required for the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus understands being bruised.

There is never a circumstance or experience in your life that God cannot and will not use to show His faithfulness if you allow Him to work in the midst of your trial and restoration. 

Allow God to show Himself faithful through your bruising.