Near to the Brokenhearted
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My inbox contains several emails from readers right now; I’ve not replied to them yet. To be honest, the heartaches of the world weight heavy on my heart at times. And I am broken.
Oh, I’m a broken girl anyways…repaired by God’s love through his grace and mercy.
But this brokenness? It’s different. It’s not for me or the things I’ve suffered. It’s not because of my personal circumstances or issues.
No, it’s being broken for the broken.
My heart breaks for you.
You, the one whose husband has decided he is no longer happy.
You, the one who dreams that Satan is trying to pull him away from the faith.
You, the one who is asking for prayer because you need a new job in order to provide for yourself and your family.
You, the one who is frustrated because you feel like you just can’t understand the Bible.
You, the one who is asking for prayer because of your college financial situation.
You, the one who struggles with guilt and shame and seeks understanding of how forgiveness really works.
I sit down to write to you individually and a pithy paragraph in an email doesn’t seem enough. Mere words on a screen? How can they help the desperate tone of your words to me?
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears….
God hears you. He leans towards you with listening ear and delights in your words to him.
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Your delivery is coming. You may not be able to catch a glimpse of it now, but all his promises are true and he keeps every.single.one. You will be delivered; you can count on it.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
He is near to you, O broken one. He longs to be close to you and fill your heart with the knowledge of his presence. He loves you so very much.
and saves the crushed in spirit.
You say to me “I have nothing left.” I have been there. And the beauty is that God does the most perfect work when he begins with just that- nothing.
From dark, he spoke light into existence.
From dust, he created men.
From fragile shells of human souls, he reshapes spiritual fragments into exquisite masterpieces.
This is what he wants to do for you.
I’ll reply to you soon. But the best thing you can do?
Draw near to the one who is near to you.
Rachel
Rachel, as one who has cried out to the Lord in brokenness throughout my life journey, many times He has comforted me through you, your choice that day of God’s Word, His promises to us and your beautiful, from the heart prayers that I take and make my own! Thank you for all your love and prayers! You and your sweet Taylor and the Wojo family are always in my love and prayers! God bless!
Jill Phillips’ new album, Mortar and Stone, just released yesterday. There’s a song on it called “Close to the Brokenhearted.” It’s an excellent meditation on this very idea. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/close-to-the-brokenhearted/id940130451?i=940130505
Thank you so much. You help me have hope!
Rachel,
Wow. That was powerful. You know, my wife allows me to pour out my heart to her whenever I feel broken. Her words refill my heart with God’s love and grace. But, sometimes I forget she feels brokenhearted and needs to be refilled with God’s love and grace, too. You must feel burdened just like the rest of us. Sometimes, I forget that, too. So, I pray that God continues to refill your heart with His love and grace whenever you feel brokenhearted.
thank you for your prayers, Michael!
I used to pray for strangers in cars at stoplights and passing along the road. I knew that they too were carrying some kind of weight. I knew that God knew how to help them. Now in the depth of my brokenness, I can’t bring myself to ask The Lord to help me, much less strangers. I know that only He can help me but why do we have those feelings of unworthiness in our darkest hours.
We fight a spiritual battle, Jasper! The last thing Satan wants is for you to go to the One who can help you the most. Remember the demons flee at the mention of his name. Prayers going up for you this moment.
Thank you for sharing this and for having your heart open to all us! God is definitely speaking to you and always at the right moments!
Earlier Today I received some news that I sort of expected but still just broke my heart. And I just couldn’t control myself and be strong to hold back my tears like I usually do, and tears just gushed out of me!
But, someone saw me and tried to comfort me, and she said, “His will, his way.” It’s been with me the whole day!
So thank you again for reminding me that God is in control!
Rachel, you just have such a way about you and the way you write. You are truly blessed and inspired by the Lord so you write straight from His lips and your heart. You never cease to amaze me. This particular writing I will share with one of our church families who is going through a difficult time right now. Thank you so very much and God bless you and yours.
Dear Rachel,
Long ago I was going through a very difficult time. Someone told me that God would bring me through it and a great reward would come to me. I received some wonderful blessings after my struggle. like everyone else, I continue to struggle, but I also have been blessed! Clair
This is beautiful. Thank you
My husband suddenly passed away on 11/9 and I am very brokenhearted. My God is so near to me that I know He has my back and my family securely in the palm of His faithful, secure hand. It is when we feel squeezed the tightest and broken open that we can pour out the oil of the Holy Spirit in greater measure. I pray that everyone in my life feels and sees how hiding under the shadow of the almighty (psalm 91) is the only place to be. God bless all of you who are hurting right now. May you find strength and comfort in Jesus.
Bless you Donna. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you! I needed this today!
Thank you!!