‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.’
When someone has broken your heart. When somebody you love breaks your heart and betrays your trust, you’re in a vulnerable place. And the Enemy will use the experience to get you to do four things that will hurt you even more, derail you spiritually, and rob you of God’s blessing: 1) Isolate yourself, alienate and avoid others. 2) Lose your sense of trust, and suspect the motives of everyone you meet. 3) Cause a root of bitterness to spring up that will impact your relationship with your family and those in your circle of influence (see Hebrews 12:15). 4) Make you strike back and get even, rendering evil for evil (see 1 Thessalonians 5:15). Don’t do it! Instead, stand on God’s Word: ‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.’ ‘I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing’ (Jeremiah 31:13 NLT). ‘The Spirit of the Lord…has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor…heal the broken-hearted…proclaim liberty to the captives…recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed’ (Luke 4:18 NKJV). ‘Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you’ (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT). Has someone done you wrong? Forgive them – and keep on forgiving them until you’re free in your mind. It’s a daily walk that sometimes feels like three steps forward and two back. But if you keep your eyes on Jesus – you’ll get there.