The Benefits of a Broken Heart

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed." - Psalm 34:18


We don't often think of the benefits of a broken heart.  We spend a lot of time and exert a lot of energy trying to avoid the pain and suffering that a broken heart brings.


But, if you are always happy, you will never know the consolation of the Lord.  You won't need it.  If you are always accepted, and never rejected, you will never know how to find comfort for yourself, and you won't know how to comfort others who are suffering.


While we can learn through study and observation, the deepest learnings are felt and accomplished through experience.  When a loved one dies, the pain of loss remains like an open wound.  How can this pain be healed? 


Those who have suffered the most have the most comfort to offer others.  Those who have hurt, been rejected, and known the pain of loss and betrayal have the opportunity to find something new -- the wisdom and insight that comes from pain.


When we are still, we can know God.  We will not find Him while we are striving, running around seeking to mediate our loss and pain.  Face the pain. "Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10


The alternative to stillness is noise -- attempting to mediate pain through activity, media, music, relationships, drugs, alcohol, or anything else to distract oneself from the root cause of the pain.


Elijah had served God, stood against evil rulers, fought and won against false prophets, but for some reason (perhaps he was exhausted, stressed and burned out) when Jezebel threatened to kill him he ran -- and he ran far into the desert before he stopped.


" 'Go out and stand before me on the mountain,' the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." -- 1 Kings 19:11,12.


The secret to managing pain -- loss, betrayal, abandonment, fear -- is to be still. The principle of stillness applies across theological and religious divides.  Many philosophies recommend meditation to find inner peace. 


Only in stillness, and facing the deepest pain, will you find God, and find peace and comfort within.  And once you have found the secret to peace and tranquility within - separate and apart from circumstances and struggles -- no one can take it away.


The benefit of a broken heart can be the strength and comfort found in stillness, and knowing God in a way that others who have not suffered will never know Him -- because they don't need to know Him in that way. 


Another benefit of a broken heart can be a powerful empathy for others, and the genuine ability to comfort those who are suffering.  True comfort for those in pain comes from others who have suffered.  Many who would like to help do more harm when they reach out to those who are in pain, because they have no idea what to say, or how their words hurt instead of heal.


Even though we wish it were not true, the fact is that when we hurt and suffer through no fault of our own -- for example, we are born into an abusive family, we are abandoned by friends and family -- God shows up in a special way.  There are opportunities to learn, grow, adapt, and evolve for the wounded that the unafflicted never see -- because the unafflicted don't need to see.


God and the Universe provide what we need.  When we hurt, we need healing.  When we suffer, we need comfort.  When we are happy, we need nothing.


The deepest lessons are found in those who have had broken hearts, and who have pushed through to find healing for themselves, and for others.