If you've been following my trilogy on Overcoming Heartbreak, you're here to read about the Spiritual aspect of overcoming heartbreak, which is really the most important side. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, feel free to scroll down to read the previous two posts which outline the Rational and Practical sides of the issue.
If it isn't obvious yet, this post will be strongly God-centric, so there's your disclaimer. I hope that even if you aren't "very religious" that you will read on, because there is so much great comfort and wisdom in scriptures, whether you "usually buy into it" or not- it may be a happy surprise to find relief for your heartbreak in an unexpected place.
I'll begin this by giving you the scriptural justifications for the advice I dished out for the Rational and Practical sides of this very quickly. Highlighted in blue like this are verses I strongly recommend memorizing, so that you can recall them whenever they are needed (yes, I know they're all good, these are just exceptionally applicable).
1. Be near people:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
2. Find People to Lean On:
"As Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2)
"Let us not give up meeting together... but let us encourage one another" (Hebrews 10:25)
3. Get Moving, Be Active, Go Outside:
"Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun" (Ecclesiastes 11:7)
"Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:8)
4. Give and Serve:
"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed"
(Proverbs 11:25)
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32)
"Encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
5. You'll Never Completely Forget, but That's OK:
"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up" (Psalm 71:20)
"We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)
"We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:3-5)
6. Don't Dwell, but Don't Run Away- Grieve and then Move On:
"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy" (Psalm 126:5)
"There is a time for everything... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me... This I call to mind and therefore I have hope" (Lamentations 3:19-20, 21)
7. Reclaim Your Joy- Don't Let Hurt or Bitterness Color the Things You Love:
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things" (Philippians 4:8)
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15)
So, what comfort can you have in God? Why should you turn to scripture and prayer when you are gripped with heartbreak and hurt?
"...everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4)
Hope. Hope and Joy are the difference between those who turn to faith in rough times, and those who turn to other sources of distraction or medication.
- He brings rest and security:
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge" (Psalm 62:5-7)
- He gives patience and contentment:
"If we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently" (Romans 8:25)
- He gives Boldness, Courage and Assurance:
"You have been my hope, O sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth" (Psalm 71:5)
"Since we have such a hope, we are very bold" (2 Corinthians 3:12)
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:20)
- He gives Joy, Perseverance and Comfort:
"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you" (Psalm 33:22)
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Romans 12:12)
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"
(Psalm 34:18)
- Take joy in the knowledge that God has a plan and a purpose for your life:
- And He is Faithful, he isn't going anywhere:
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness... The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him" (Lamentations 3:22-23, 25)
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit"
(Psalm 34:18)
- There is soooo much more comfort to be had from the Bible, but to wrap this up:
good stuff. reclaim joy
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