Has your heart ever hurt so much you didn’t want to eat or couldn’t sleep? Grief over a lost loved one or prodigal child, unmet expectations, rejection, and betrayal can cause us to feel that way. Even a secret disappointment can cause deep pain that affects not only our emotions, but also our mind, body, and spirit.
Recently, I had a conversation with a lovely young woman who experienced more trauma, loss, grief, and fear in two decades than most people encounter in their entire lives. As she shared her story, I had no quick or simple answers for her. I couldn’t promise life would get easier. I couldn’t say she’d never be hurt again. Likely, she will.
What I could promise is that God is near the brokenhearted. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Ps. 34:18, NIV)
Our enemy, the devil, tries to use our emotional suffering to isolate us. He tells us there’s no help for us and that no one feels or will understand our heartache. Sometimes he even tells us we deserved to be hurt.
More than once I’ve believed his lies. If I’m not careful, my wounds can become a prison. In my effort to protect myself from future harm, I’m often tempted to hide from friends and even God.
This isn’t how we recover. The first step to healing is realizing we are not alone in our anguish. When we hurt, Jesus grieves with us. Suffers with us. He understands because He went through the same things. Scripture says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV)
Our Lord and Savior endured every kind of hardship we contend with. Rejection, betrayal, disappointment. Grief, loss, cruelty, and abuse. He sits with us in our distress. And if we let Him lead us, we can walk through it without believing the enemy’s lies, becoming bitter, isolating ourselves or acting cruelly to others. Jesus will come alongside us and teach us how to deal with our challenges, without reacting in a sinful way and further hurting ourselves or others.
What pain is tempting you to hide or be unkind? What lie is the enemy telling you about your hurt? You are not alone. You are not without help. Jesus is right there—through the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and sometimes, godly friends. 
Will you lean on Him? Let Him hold you and weep with you?
Joy- led by Jennifer Henn
Joy is a gift from God, but have you ever wondered if you’ve missed something? With all the turmoil around us, how does someone hold on to joy? Join us for a 9-week study that takes an honest look at what threatens our joy. Our study guide will be Unshakable Unbreakable Joy by Wholly Loved Ministries.
We’ll meet for discussion Thursday evenings May 6 – July 1at 7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET. You’ll receive the Zoom Meeting information upon completion of the registration form and another email the week before we start. Register here
This study is enhanced by weekly video sessions and a study guide. Purchase here.
