What God Can Do With A Broken Heart

byChantel

You are going along through life, and suddenly…it happens. You find yourself with a broken heart. And it hurts.

You never meant for it to happen. Maybe you even tried your best to avoid the usual pitfalls that can result in heartbreak. But sometimes, broken hearts come with living life and taking the risk of opening your heart to love someone else. And there is nothing imaginary about the pain of a broken heart: it’s real pain. It can affect every part of your life. It can feel like it’s never going to end.

When you are in the thick of it,  that bitter feeling of darkness can press in around you. Maybe you feel like you can’t breathe. I know what that is like.

Everything–your past and your future–can seem like a hopeless mess of emotions and fears. But wait. This moment won’t last forever. I promise you. Because we’re not alone. There is Someone who knows what to do with broken hearts. 

It is a wonder what God can do with a broken heart, if He gets all the pieces. -Samuel Chadwick

So, if you find yourself  smack dab in the middle of heartbreak don’t give up yet. Don’t feel like you have to pretend like you have it all together. It’s okay if you don’t. We weren’t meant to face brokenness all on our own anyway.What God Can Do with a Broken Heart

 

Instead of pasting on an “everything’s fine face”, instead of holding on to the “should-haves” and the “might have beens”, learn to let it go. Just let go of those broken pieces of your heart, and let God have them.

God is the Healer of Hearts–broken ones, bruised ones, hurting ones. He’s the Master Designer.  And He can build something beautiful out of anything. Even out of broken hearts.

Our hearts aren’t construction paper. They can break, but that doesn’t mean we’ll ever have less of a heart than we did before. It doesn’t make us less of a person. Heartbreak isn’t a definition of who we are. It doesn’t have to define the rest of our lives.

It hurts now. It might hurt for a long time. Broken hearts don’t heal over night. But we have to open our hands so God can take the pieces.

What once felt like the end of the world? Ten years from now, we might see that it was really just the beginning of a new, better season. God knows how to make beauty out of broken. And that’s what He does with even broken hearts.

Chantel has loved good stories with real-life challenges and happy afters since she was a young child.

She is a country girl currently living in Tennessee, USA, and carving out a little urban slice of country living down south. She and her husband seek to live their lives simply and joyfully and teach their two redheaded children to be intentional about their days.

She is a writer at heart who blogs only sometimes these days.

36 Comments

  1. I’m just so heart broken. Like this person doesn’t know what they just did to me. Nobody to talk to but God.

  2. I am a single mum of 3 kids. Divorced 13 years ago when my kids are 3,5 & 8 yrs old. He left us and had re-married. Life was very tough and recently I was diagnosed with cancer. Please pray for me that I will survive to see my 3 kids through University. I place my trust and confident in God. Tess

    1. God got you and those kids. The cancer is not there to stay in Jesus name. I will pray for you and your family.

  3. I broke a girls hear. then she broke mine. the pain is unbearable that only God can provide comfort. I went through so much, drinking, smoking, partying until i realized that I was seeking healing in other places. I am glad I finally realize God was the only one who could help me. Its been hard but I have faith in him because he is Faithful.

  4. Thank you for this messege, it really spoke to me. I am part way through a break up, he’s not sure what he wants and needs time to think, so I’ve moved back in with my parents to give him space. With that, I’ve had the chance to open my heart to God, put my pain in His hands and ask for the forgiveness of my sins, something I have been neglecting to do for such a long time.

    I feel like I’m stuck in such a dialemma, is God ending this relationship to bring me closer to Him? Will God protect and care for my partner if we split even though he’s a non-believer? Am I suppose to be with someone who doesn’t believe? There’s so many questions and as a very inexperienced Christian I don’t feel like I know how to find any answers.

    Please pray for me, for my healing and please pray for my partner Adam, that he will feel the grace of God and can be at peace with what ever decision he makes.

    Thank you, Becky x

  6. Let me tell you .. the last year has been a year of tears. I feel like I havent stopped crying. I have had things taken from me that I have never thought. And people given to me for moments of time. When your in a heart break your unfunctionable, and then when its over I rearly feel stronger. You question if you have really learned anything? or what was it you were supposed to learn. Things I have learned is that relying on people to make you happy is unsuccessful, being someone else strength wears you down, and crying gives you the worst puffy eyes in the morning. Being alone leaves you to your brokenheart and its thoughts, and telling people how your feeing all the time gets to be too much for them. I know im writing a whole bunch of randomness but thats what a brokenheart is, theres no timeline for healing and i dont think you will ever forget, but your still living and breathing hoping for a better day to come.

  7. Laine and Flame

    You are not alone. Being left behind is horrible.

    My Girlfriend of 3 years wanted a break to think about us and within 3 days met a wealthier and more financially more stable man then I currently am right now.

    I wake up and ask myself how the woman who (on many occasions) swore to me that I was the only man she ever really loved, could just forget about me and be with someone else so easily.

    I have had a few dates since then but it is almost impossible for me to even consider kissing another woman, never mind fall in love.

    I thank God each morning for all his blessing and I try and take one day at a time. I have good days and bad days and the best thing that has happened from all of this is I have found God’s love again and my relationship with him is growing again.

    This has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to endure in my life and I’ve had many trials but I THANK GOD each and every day for his Love and Blessings.

    1. I feel terrible right now. I got broken up with n feel like a failure n rejected but im trying to remember Gods soverignty n accept that Hes in control of my life because i invite Him into it everyday. He knows what it takes to mold n shape me n I dont doubt that… But my heart is broken because i truly care for my ex. Gods walking with me through it…. More like carrying me. I love God so much n appreciate His faithfulness so much.
      I know He has better bigger plans for me… So im sorry dear Lord for trying to get in the way of Your awesome plan. God is good all the time. satan is a liar so ill try to close my ears to his lies. Thank u brothers n sisters in Christ for sharing! We can do all though He which strenghtens us… Even get through this break ups. Praise the Lord.

  8. Hi-all
    My boyfriend of four years walked away from our relationship ohhh 8 months ago like it was nothing. Just dropped off the face of the earth. I was so very in love with him. I’m sooo hurt inside. This has been the worse feeling in the world to me, I miss him a ton. I’ve prayed and prayed over this. I’ve tried giving god my pain and it’s like I’m still tied to it. How do you let go. How can someone you love hurt you so much. How do I stop loving him

    1. Hi Flame, I understand your situation, I know how you feel, the person I loved with all my heart just left me and it’s really painful, I can’ t find the word to explain how much pain I felt, and to be honest with you, it still hits me sometimes. It’s been only four months. But what I really want to share with you is how much prayers have helped me. Surrender everything to Him, He has always better plans for all of us. Believe. Just believe, remember this, “Faith without works is dead-James 2:20”. Let go of the pain, leave everything to Him. Look forward to tomorrow instead of looking back. Smile, it is a good way to start. He is always there for us.

  9. My ex- fiance and I were together for more than a year, we are both working abroad in the same office, and that’s how we met, we then had our first vacation last december 2009 till january 2010, unfortunately on the last 2 weeks of our vacation he met a girl 12 years younger than me, he left me and is now engaged with her, we are still working together now in the same office abroad, which makes it really difficult for me. I’m in so much pain right now and all I can do is pray, as soon as I open my eyes in the morning I thank the God for the new day and ask for a sign that things will get better, I say another prayer in the afternoon, 6pm novena for my petitions and right before I close my eyes at night. It’s been four months now and I’m really praying that God will give me the happiness that I deserve. I am not a bad person, all I did was love him and took very good care of him. I hope God answers my prayers soon.

    1. Laine I know exactly what you are going through and I mean exactly. I was with a guy for 4 years and he also left me for another girl and asked her to marry him 4 months later. I also worked with him, so I had to see him everyday. It would kill me to see him on the phone laughing and carrying on like we didn’t spend anytime together. I look back and see that it was a blessing. He is not what I wanted, he was only there for a season. And like you I did take care of him and love him with all I had, but it didn’t work out. Laine I’m also on this website because my boyfriend of six years decided to end it this weekened. I feel so torn and I feel like giving up, but I know God always provides. I know exactly how you feel, but all we can do is pray. God Bless you….

  11. Chantel,
    Thank you so much. I can identify with the pain of a broken heart. It’s happened to me several times. Giving the situation to God is really the only way through a difficult time. I really like the quote.

  14. Sometimes it helps to be patient and give the person time to grieve.
    When I was going through a hard time my mom received this advice concerning me:”A lot of prayer and patience.” I can’t emphasize the importance of prayer. It is something you may mostly do behind closed doors, but it can accomplish things you can’t
    imagine-fasting is effective, as well.
    It may be beneficial to make sure your friend is in an atmosphere of love and God’s grace like a local church, Bible study, etc..
    For example, when I went through my trial, I immersed myself in an atmosphere of praise and worship to God;knowing He was there, not to condemn me, but to sup with me, really touched me deeply. Knowing that there wasn’t anyone there trying to force spiritual fruit from me really aided me in feeling free to let God’s presence just envelop me in my time of need.
    My soul really refused to be comforted in anything, or anyone but God.
    Your friend may grieve differently than me, but I hope my suggestions help.

  15. Praise God I haven’t been through this myself; but how do I reach out to a dear one who has a broken heart? Tips anyone?

  16. I have learned-or should I say, “am learning”-to acknowledge what a broken heart really is-broken. If we try to shut out the reality of pain, we also shut out God’s healing love. When we deny the existence of pain, rejection, etc., we can become narcissistic and introspective because we choose only what pleases us to touch us.
    We can rejoice in the assurance of God’s love, and the honor of sharing in Jesus’ sufferings.
    We can also look forward to the inevitable ending of the trial, and the promise of a future hope-Psalm 23:18.
    Also, Knowing that God doesn’t condemn my weak and vulnerable heart, but embraces, heals, and strengthens it through the trials, reveals a new dimension and depth to the true reality of “love”.
    I recommend all troubled pilgrims to read “Turn My Mourning into Dancing” by Henri Nouwen, “A New Joy” by Colleen Townsend Evans, and I recommend they indulge in the Psalms.

  17. Oh dear! The email I re-sent just came back again!!! Will you try mine and maybe that will work. I do have a long email waiting for you since last night. 🙂

  18. Chantel, I tried to send you an email ast night but it was returned to me this morning. I sent it again just now, so I do hope it will go through. 🙂
    My email is [email protected]
    so maybe it will work if you email something to me first. 🙂
    Thanks so much!
    Lydia

  20. Allison: Thank you! Yes, you are right. 🙂 Tears, prayer, and God’s word are some of the best ways to sooth the aches. Praise God that those are free to all of us!

    Lydia: I sent you a comment, and will reply in greater detail shortly. God will give you wisdom and strength. *hugs*

    Emily: Keep holding on to Jesus! Through our darkest nights, He is right there. You are in my prayers, dear sister!

    Laura: *hugs* God is good. This was posted when I needed the reminder too. Let’s keep giving him our little broken pieces. I’m so glad we can be friends. 🙂

  21. I love that quote by Samuel Chadwick. It’s hard sometimes to surrender all the pieces to God, but He’s the one who knows how to handle them best 🙂

  23. Thanks, Chantel, for this timely reminder! I had already mentioned my broken relationship on another forum with you, and your words there comforted me as well. It’s a wonderful feeling when I really do give it to the Lord and trust Him to work everything out. I give Him the pieces, and He gives me the peace. 🙂

  25. This post really touched my heart, Chantel! I’m going through some very hard times right now myself, and this was just what I needed to hear. 🙂 If I can only keep on remembering to take every thing and every situation to Him, I know that He will bring peace and hope to my heart.

    Keep on with your inspiring writing!

    Love in Christ,
    Emily

  27. What do you do when you were the one to give someone else a broken heart? – a guy.
    I had to say ‘no’ to a guy and that was just under a year ago, but he won’t let me forget that I told him what he didn’t want to hear! He said he’d never let me forget that I told him ‘no’ and someday he’d “come back!”…. and in the same breath he says I broke his heart like no other in the world ever had before!….
    I do pray God will heal his broken heart, though. I didn’t mean to, but I culdn’t say ‘yes’ when everything in me said ‘no’.

  28. I know too well what it feels like to have a broken heart but yet I can also testify of God’s goodness, healing, and strength during the most difficult and painful times. He draws so near – and in the midst of many tears and deep sorrow, it becomes such a sweet and precious time.
    He does bring hope and He does work “new things” that bring joy, gladness, and singing!! Praise His name!

  29. Here’s some advice that I would give that goes along with having a broken heart:
    1. Cry
    2. Tell Jesus all about how you’re feeling.
    3. Read Scripture, especially the Psalms.

    1. I’ve been in all of your shoes and yes, praying and trusting our Lord and savior has removed the pain and guilt. It’s been 3 years since my husband divorce me because he saw himself changing. If it wasn’t for prayer and my relationship with God, I would have probably gone mad. I have learned during this last 3 years that my first mistake was that I was a broken woman, I didn’t allow my self to heal from things that happened to me in the past and I didn’t seek God before entering into the relationship. I am now learning to love myself and I respect myself as a woman of God. I don’t feel needy any more and God revealed to me through a dream what it feels like when the man for me is sent from him, unless I feel and know it in my spirit, I am happy just being friends with christian men.

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