In the Midst of Heartbreak

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
 
My hand clutched the letter that just shattered my world. I read it again, set it down, and cried. I think I cried everyday on and off for over a month. My broken heart seemed to be taking forever to mend.
 
I don't know what has recently rocked your world-divorce, cancer, infertility, job loss, wayward children, financial difficulties, or something else, but I do know that God hears and he is near. My college break up changed my world because it forced me into the arms of my Savior. While locked away in small study room, crying out to the Lord with tears streaming down my face, I found an intimacy with God that I had never known before. My religion made a seismic shift to relationship. In those vulnerable moments of gut wrenching honesty, my God met me. He sat with me as I poured my heart out to him and he heard me. He listened. He cared. He saw me. He changed me. He healed me.
 
I don't know what mountain of emotional turmoil and heartache you face today, but I do know God is faithful to hear your cries and heal your hurt.
Psalm 34:17 promises "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles." So, take it to him. All of it. Have an ugly cry with him and know that he will turn his ear towards your cry and will listen. Not only will he listen, but he will hold you close, wipe your tears, pick you up, dust you off, and set you back up on your feet- ready to face another day.
 
God uses the brokenness in our lives to bring us into a deeper relationship with him. We are never truly alone. He is always present, always ready to listen, and always able to help.
 
Today, I am grateful for that Dear John letter that shattered my world because through it I gained an intimate relationship with my God. And the life and family I have now!
 
Dear Lord,
I don't ever want to let the hurt of my life keep me from pursuing my relationship with you. I don't want the pain of this world to drive a wedge between me and you. I don't want bitterness and resentment to take root in my heart. I want to be free to have an ugly cry with you knowing you will hear me and not misunderstand me. Touch my heart. Draw me close to you. Heal me. Use me.
 

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