Devotional: Brokenhearted

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Psalms 34:18 NLT

In today's world, love is a planned obsolescence and our spirits are supremely selfish. We write pre-nuptials, plans for the eventual failing of marriages so that we can keep our stuff. Instead of going all in, we make sure "What's mine is mine" even from those we love. First real troubles in marriages we give up. It is easier to turn and run, than to work it out. We do not let ourselves in all the way, because it might end up hurting us.

But as much as it does hurt, God is right there for you in that hurt. It is the times of broken hearts and crushed spirits that a person really grows. If you avoid all kinds of emotional hurts, how can you really grow into the person God knows you can be. In those times where even your soul feels destroyed, God can and will piece you back together. Like a broken bone, when your broken heart is set and it heals, it will be stronger than it was before.

Though we will break down and want to give up from all the exhausting pain, God will give us strength and we can stand tall and proud, stronger than before, because we have a God who loves us so much that we can face any pain, any ache, and know with confidence, God is beside us, picking us up, until the day he calls us home one last time.

Lord, we sometimes fear taking chances because of the hurt in our hearts. Fear the harshness of rejection in our souls, but we know you are here, now, ready to rescue us. Give us the courage to risk a broken heart so we can show the world what love really is.