Daily Dose of Encouragement: Heartbroken

Heartbroken, it’s the word that came to me as I sat in the isle seat on an airplane back home.  Was I heartbroken? In a way, but certainly not the way one would automatically think of.  Heartbroken looks different for everyone.  While this word is typically associated with a disastrous relationship or “breakup,” I believe it is a term that can easily be applied to many of the emotions we experience throughout life (not just those attaining to broken relationships). In reality, experiencing heartbreak is inevitable one way or another. Whether it be brought on by physical, emotional, mental, or relational means, heartbreak is something we are bound to come across.  For myself, it is throughout the many years of battling chronic Lyme Disease that I have seen heartbreak portrayed in various ways. Whether it be the sorrow of my parents over my own heal issues, or the distant look in a friend’s eyes as they personally grieve trials in their life, the brokenness was there. That being said, though heartbreak can be expressed outwardly through an expression, it is undoubtedly a hard, hallowing, and unshakable feeling that settles as a pit in the depths of your stomach.  It is an incredibly strong emotion that can easily take over your entire being, paralyzing us in a state of depression, loneliness, vulnerability, hopelessness, and overall a seemingly unquenchable, incurable brokenness that radiates from within. You are left feeling utterly and completely broken, which, in turn, is exactly why they call it being “heart-broken.”

More than likely you have experienced this feeling, or just maybe, you are going through a heart break right now as we speak.  You’ve tried to let time do its work and heal your, however, nothing seems to help and you are unsure how to survive and keep persevering. Yet when the things of this world leave us broken, and when the situations, storms, and trials we face never seem to end, there is only One thing that can bring wholeness to our hearts that cry out for comfort and healing, and that is Christ. He came to save us, the broken, the helpless, the beaten down, the sinners living in a sin-filled world unable to escape inevitable pain, suffering, and yes, heartbreak.  God knew we would feel this way, and He knew we would experience moments, months, or even years of brokenness. Because of this, He sent His son to be beaten and crucified on a cross so that our hearts could be healed.  In fact, it was through this brokenness that God’s sacrificial love was poured out onto all man kind to give eternal salvation for those who believe.  Overall, He knows your feelings, your thoughts, actions, hopes, dreams, and yes, even your heartbrokenness. He has been through it all. Even when it seems no one on earth can feel the pain inside your chest that is eating away at your soul, He knows, and He is there to be your greatest and only source of true comfort, peace, and healing.  He promises to hear your crying and lift up your head when it seems there is no strength from within your soul to do so (Psalm 4). He will fill you with peace (Psalm 5), and when you are weary with groaning and have drenched your couch in tears (Psalm 6), He will hear you, deliver you (Psalm 7), and continue to always be your refuge (Psalm 9). For He is the helper of the fatherless (Psalm 10), a God who deals bountifully with the righteous (Psalm 13) and does not allow those who seek Him to be moved (Psalm 16).  No matter how deep and dark the brokenness in your heart becomes, and when the snares of death seem to be caving in on all sides (Psalm 18), He is there to steady your heart. Yes, He will deliver you, for He delights in you (Psalm 18). He is there to be the one and only rock that will not fail you, be shaken, or waver when you experience these trials, for He is there to save His anointed with the saving strength of his right hand (Psalm 20).  When your heart is like wax and melted within you and all of your strength dries up like dust (Psalm 22), the Lord will hide you from trouble and help you rise above (Psalm 27). He will take care of you and strengthen your heart. If you trust in Him, He will help you through the brokenness (Psalm 28).  Though you may stumble, fall, and grow faint in the process, He will uphold you (Psalm 37), for the Lord “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3)

Psalm 34:18-19 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.”