By Nancy Virden (c)2023 The Miracle Series

This one could take a week to write if I did nothing else. In churches, support groups, friendships, and within my family, I have observed and experienced broken hearts being recreated into fresh and whole. Whether broken by death, betrayal, or regret, hearts are ultimately mendable as promised by God.

A heart broken by death is inconsolable for a time. Grief will run its course, and while one cannot define grief’s parameters, survivors generally return to functioning within a few days or weeks. That is not to suggest that pain goes away, but it tends to lessen over time.

A heart broken by regret can be inconsolable indefinitely if people do not learn to forgive themselves. Many will struggle with regret even years after the fact. Self-forgiveness begins when we realize we are but human and would not repeat the same mistakes knowing what we now know. After that, we can take ownership of how our choices affected other people, try to make amends, and ask God to cover the rest with His grace.

A heart broken by betrayal feels a different form of pain. A betrayal leads to self-doubt and an inability to trust, each of which complicates life and holds back happiness. After we have been betrayed, we have to regain our identity and a sense of where we fit in the world.

Would it surprise you to know that I have witnessed the complete restoration of child-like trust and joy in broken hearts of each kind? God is a God of miracles, the “Possible” in the word impossible. Just as we reach the end of our human ability to reason and cope, God is there to give us his strength and wisdom.

Stories

A heart is broken by death: A friend recently gathered with family to memorialize the second anniversary of a loved one’s death. This family is not grieving without hope because their loved one knew Jesus and is now in heaven. They know they will be reunited one day, and even better, they know their loved one is joyous now in the presence of God. This belief is not based on sentimental hope, but on true faith. My friend has lost 14 people in two years due to covid mostly. She is radiant in gratitude for her circle of friends and support. She and I both agree this is a miracle of love from God.

Hearts are broken by regret: Many former addicts, now in recovery, live with regret. The wasted years, opportunities, and relationships could drive a person to use except where there is radical acceptance. Just think where some of these people have been. Nothing short of a miracle, former addicts I know have become some of the bravest resources of inspiration for others. They know yesterday is past and cannot be changed, so they look past regrets that would keep them locked back there unable to heal. When people living with any form of regret allow God to free them from the awful pain of sorrow, the forgiveness of self is possible (as are amends!).

A heart is broken by betrayal: We were not created with the ability to withstand rejection and betrayal and pay no cost. Nevertheless, being able to move on without scurrying to find a replacement for what we think we lost or what should have been, keeps us open to finding contentment within ourselves and with God. An unidentified person has experienced multiple marriages after each one ended following betrayal or death. My hope for this individual is that they learn to value trusting God for all needs. He is Father to the fatherless, partner to the rejected, and strength in our weakness. I fear the happy point is being missed- that no human can meet all of anyone’s needs or come close to measuring up to the love God has for those who love Him. He is where true joy is.

I am one who has survived betrayal. Sometimes someone will ask me if I want to marry again. No! I have discovered Nancy for the first time in over 5 decades and am enjoying the freedom to care only about what God seems to be asking of me. I have seen other victims of betrayal run full-on into the arms of Jesus and stand up strong, not needy, not searching, and not starving for love. They and I are happy. This is a miracle of God keeping his promises to the followers of Jesus.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope… We tell you this directly from the Lord: …For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.  So encourage each other with these words.

Philippians 3:13-14

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Psalm 27:10

Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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