You Need to Consider This When You are Heartbroken
15 years ago today, I was curled up at the foot of our bed … I cried until my tears ran dry.
I pleaded and prayed … asking God to change hearts and change the situation. I hoped with faith that it would be days, weeks, even months, but not years. I longed for the time we would look back on things and praise God for His healing grace.
And yet, here we are 15 years later and we’re still waiting and praying and hoping in faith.
There is good news though…
What the enemy of our souls wanted to use for evil … God used for good!
Our situation may not have changed but I have! And that’s what I want to tell you about today…
I want you to know how God is able to take your broken heart and piece it back together with His grace, mercy, and love. How He can remove your life-long fears, gave you strength, and increase your faith.
I want to tell you how … by the power of His Spirit, God took a heartbroken mess and gave me a new life of purpose by making me a life-long SEEKer who’s free to enjoy His peace, trusting that I have everything I need in Christ Jesus.
The change didn’t happen in one miraculous moment; it’s been a long season of growth. But if you’ve got a couple of minutes, I’d love to tell you about the process God used to transform me … one that I believe He would love to use in You and in the people you love.
5 Steps God Uses to Heal the Heartbroken
1. God Pursues Those Who are Heartbroken
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!
Matthew 18:12–13
I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t know and trust Jesus for my eternal future. I knew He was my Lord and Savior, that He died for me, and I believed He would take me to heaven when I died. But…
When it came to daily living … I was afraid.
Afraid of disappointing people and disappointing God. Afraid that if I completely surrendered to Jesus, the cross He asked me to carry would be too difficult and I’d disappoint everyone.
So, I frantically tried to juggle all the parts of my life on my own until all those balls I’d been juggling fell at my feet. And that’s when the Lord came and found me and held me. And gently carried me to His Word.
2. God Speaks to Those Who are Heartbroken
As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30 (AMPC)
I needed HOPE!
Not the kind words and assurances of people. I needed hope that would give me the strength I needed to get out of bed each day.
God had given me hope for my eternal future through Scripture; so, I turned to His Word looking for the hope I so desperately needed to get me through each day.
I picked up my Bible and I couldn’t put it down. And by God’s grace, it became my lifeline. I devoured it, Genesis through Revelation, in just three months.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16
And God used the TRUTH of His inspired Word in an interesting way.
In my brokenness, I didn’t relate to the heroes of faith so much as I saw myself in the doubters and the fearful. I saw myself in Eve and the grumbling Wilderness Wanderers, as well as the Pharisees and the fleeing disciples.
The more I read God’s Word … the more I was humbled, ashamed and repentant.
3. God Forgives the Heartbroken Who Come to Him in Repentance
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28–29
I carried all my brokenness, my failures, and my weaknesses … I took my sins to Jesus and asked Him to heal and forgive me.
The Bible says that when you and I carry the heavy burden of our sin to Jesus and ask Him to forgive us and change us … well, He said, “the angels rejoice!”
I tell you, it is the same way among the angels of God. If one sinner is sorry for his sins and turns from them, the angels are very happy.”
Luke 15:10
Praise God!
That’s the blessing of God’s Word. It’s the Law that shows us our sin and then it’s the Good News Gospel that shows us God’s LOVE!
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Psalm 86:5
What other god promises unfailing love and forgiveness to everyone and anyone who repents and asks for help to change? What other god is able to give people everything they need to accomplish the change He desires? What other god promises freedom through faith and forgiveness?
If the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
John 8:36
And it’s not just freedom for an eternal future in heaven but freedom to LIVE today with peace, joy, hope, courage, strength, and everything else you and I need!
4. God Replaces What is Broken with What is Needed
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.
Luke 12:31
What I began to learn was that the more I completely surrendered myself to the Lord the more intentionally He gave me everything I needed.
And one of the first things I needed was to be lifted out of the pit of despair…
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
Psalm 40:1–2
and He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
I’m not going to tell you how many times God lifted me out of the pit that I turned around and jumped right back in. A broken heart for any reason needs to grieve … but Paul wrote:
You have no reason to have sorrow as those who have no hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
And that’s truth! Not only grief over death but hope for the heart that is broken for any reason. It’s not a hope that is dependent on our circumstances changing but hope that whatever our circumstances … God will give us everything we need!
5. God Strengthens the Heartbroken with His Promises
Something I didn’t even know I needed but a gift for which I will be eternally grateful … is the blessing of specific promises to encourage me.
The first promise and the one that has become my life verse is…
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
Psalm 73:26
And He has been the strength of my heart.
Remember, I said fear was one of my greatest struggles.
God has been faithful to the promise of my life verse. He has given us what we needed to get through circumstances that before I would have considered “impossible.”
He has been my strength. His presence has given me everything I need each day.
The two verses before my life verse say…
You guide me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth.
Psalm 73:24–25
By God’s grace … I trust that He will guide me each day until I arrive at my “glorious destiny” in heaven. How can I not desire that more than anything else this life has to offer?
If you’re struggling today because of a broken heart … let me share with you one more promise that I hold close. I especially like the way The Message says it…
[God] told me, “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” Once I heard that I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
2 Corinthians 12:9–10
And that is absolute unfailing TRUTH!
In the past 15 years, I’ve learned that the more I surrender my fears and frustrations, my brokenness and battles, my weaknesses and worries, my losses and longings to Jesus … the more He fills me up with everything I need to LIVE!
To live free of the things I’ve surrendered to Him and free to enjoy the blessings He wants me to have!
Blessings David expressed beautifully in Psalm 40. He said that God lifted him out of that “pit of despair” and…
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3
And that is my prayer! That’s why I write AT THE INTERSECTION OF FAITH AND LIFE!
I want you to know what God has done for me. I want you to be amazed by His love and grace and mercy. And more than anything, I want you to put your trust in the Lord!
Because if He is able to remove my life-long fears and give me everything I need to live surrendered to His loving care with freedom, peace, and joy … I believe with all my heart that He not only can but He will do that for you as well.
So, what do you say … will you consider prayerfully reading your Bible … getting to know the One who pursues you. The One who wants to speak to your heart and mind. The One who offers you complete forgiveness and everything else you need. The One who promises you freedom to LIVE sheltered in His LOVE!
I’m praying for you today and asking God to bless you and fill you with the transforming power of His perfect love!
Deb, I praise the Lord for t(His) timing. This is literally what I needed to hear right now and AMEN!
I’m so glad it blessed you, Mina! Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to bless me with your kind encouragement. I’m asking God to bless you today!
Deb, your honesty about where you’ve been in your life and how God has met you where you are at every turn is so uplifting! Yes, He will mend our broken hearts, our dashed dreams, when we fully surrender to Him, allowing His healing and grace to permeate our lives.
Blessings, my friend!
Thank you for sharing. This came right on time for me as I was just praying last night for God to help me release my healing unto Him and to show me how to move on from past hurt and pain when I live with it everyday.
I’m so glad it blessed you, Andrea! Healing is a process. I certainly know mine didn’t happen overnight. But I do know God is with you and will continue to heal your hurting heart as you lean into Him. Thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement. God bless you!
Your words today speak to my heart. My husband, who is a hospitalist with a pulmonary group, was to retire last September when he turned 68. The time came, and he felt he had more to do and more to offer. So he decided to semi retire. He now works two, twelve hour shifts per week. Given our current state, I fear for his safety. But, he wants to continue to work and serve our community. I’ve always considered myself a person with big faith, but right now, I feel as if my faith is failing. I am really struggling. But honestly, I find comfort in your words. Thank you, I genuinely needed to hear this today. God bless you.
Your husband sounds like a wonderful man, Kathy! I am praying for Him. And tell him that we thank him for being willing to serve others during this stressful and difficult time. I’m praying for you too, asking God to give you His peace. Thanks so much for blessing me with your kind encouragement. May God be with you and hold you close as you trust in Him each day.
Amen!
What an encouraging word!
So thankful that God is near the brokenhearted!
Thanks, Melanie! I can’t imagine trying to do even a moment without Him. His grace is sufficient. I love this verse, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 We are so very blessed!
Deb , thank you so much for this encouraging devotional. To me nothing hurts worse than matters of the heart. When my heart aches and hurts so bad, then Jesus is the only one that can bring peace. And there is nothing else like the peace that flows from our Savior.
Thank you for sharing. Katherine
I agree, Katherine. Heart pain can feel like it’s crushing but I love how you said it … “then Jesus!” That’s it! His peace and love have given me the freedom to live with hope and joy. Something I wanted all along. Thanks so much for your kind encouragement. You bless me! May the Lord bless you!
I really needed this encouragement today! Thank you for your honesty and for sharing hope with us. Have a blessed week!
Thank you, Brenda! I’m so glad it blessed you! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. God bless you!
Thanks for sharing your heart. I know this to be truth, I shared in hopes it will help someone..
Thank you for sharing this, Michelle! I pray it will be a blessing. God is so good and gracious … I just want everyone to know the blessing of His love and presence. God bless you!
I love this reminder as we are walking through a very broken-hearted season right now as a nation. 🙂
Thanks, Nicki! It is a difficult time for everyone. I’m so glad for God’s promise to be with us no matter what’s going on in and around us. God bless you, my friend!
Thank you for that enlightening article. Thank you
I’m so glad it blessed you! Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to say “hello.” I’m asking God to continue to encourage you and give you His peace.
#4 is my favorite . God replaces with what we need and we need Jesus the most in our brokenness.
Our heartbreaks had led us back to Christ. Sending lots of kisses.
Amen, Diana! He is exactly what our hearts need most! Blessings and hugs back at you!!
Deb, hi! I love how God comes to us in just the ways we need most. He loves us as we are and pulls us closer to Himself so we can grow to be more like Him … I’m so grateful.
I am too, Linda! His love overwhelms me every day! Blessings and hugs!
I’m sure that this trial and great loss has been used by God in so many ways here at your blog, Deb! Your heart may have been broken, but the healing balm that God used to bind it up has become the healing balm we find here every week, my friend!
Thank you, Beth! You’re so kind. I love being able to share His love and grace-filled power to change lives. He is so good! Blessings, my friend!
I love how you ended with David’s praise in Psalm 40:3 That is perfectly said for you and this post. He gave you a new song and all will be amazed by what He has done! I am in a season is learning more to fully trust God in those long seasons of waiting so thank you for this wisdom.
He has given me a new song to sing. Things may not look the way I’d planned but I am so thankful for the way God has used it all in my life. There is truly nothing better than living under His freedom and peace. Thanks, my friend! I sure am blessed by you!
Your posts are always ENLIGHTEN n on piont, thank you fr sharing what the LORD has laid on your heart. You knw i too struggle with fear at times but this has encouraged me even more that i need not fear but to draw closer to my HEAVENLY FATHER. May GOD continue to use you to bring even more encouraging words to his ppl, bless you
Oh, thank you, Karlene. Your kindness is a blessing! Fear can be a struggle – sometimes it’s good when it helps us pause and avoid doing things that are harmful but then there are those times when it’s debilitating and keeps us from doing the things we should … like living free in His love. I’m always praying that He will help me have balance as I rest in Him. God bless you!
Deb, wow, what a beautiful word and testimony of God’s sustaining grace!
Thank you, Missy! His grace is indeed the very thing that has sustained me. His patience and love overwhelm me. Thanks so much for visiting and for stopping to say “hello.” God bless you!
It is so comforting to see how God worked in your life! He can do the same for me! Thank you for the words of wisdom!
Amen, Dwan! That is why I share my story! I want everyone to know and experience God’s life-changing miraculous love! Thanks so much for visiting and for stopping to take the time to say “hello.” God bless you!