The Broken

Have you ever been hurt by someone?  It may have been a parent, love interest, friend, family member, in-law, mate, co-worker, boss, coach, teacher, pastor, church leader, counselor, and the list could go on and on. Yes, we have all been hurt at one time in our lives. Most of us have been hurt often. When I think of having a broken heart, this caries hurt to a new level. When you love deeply, it can make you vulnerable to experiencing a broken heart.  "You say that love is nonsense. I tell you it is no such thing. For weeks and months it is a steady physical pain, an ache about the heart, never leaving one, by night or by day; a long strain on one's nerves like toothache or rheumatism, not intolerable at any one instant, but exhausting by its steady drain on the strength." -Henry Brooks Adams

                       Our hearts are a vital part of our being and the most crucial part to protect. Help for the broken comes by showing love, compassion, understanding, grace, empathy, and a listening ear. Often we are quick to speak and slow to hear. That is opposite of how we are to be. We are to be swift to hear and slow to speak.


I recently sat in a discussion covering the topic on homophobia. I  had the opportunity of meeting several individuals who have a love interest of the same sex. As I sat in that discussion group, I discovered the internal struggle, heartbreak, rejection, and suicidal thoughts that many who were in that group have had to deal with. It deeply touched me to hear as one individual mentioned having thoughts of suicide for ten years as she tried so hard to fight off her inward desires. Try to wrap your head around the idea of living with so much pain, that daily you would want to end your suffering, by ending your life.

“We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer  

  There was a precious lady in that group who is very spiritual, and it so happened that we were in the same place at the same time after that group discussion. I was struggling with a few thoughts regarding Biblical truths. As I shared them with this wonderful woman, the revelation came: It is not my place or my duty to judge based on what I can see from the outside. God looks at the heart of a man. It is 100% impossible for me to see into another person's heart.  My obligation to others is to love them as I love myself. There was a young lady in that class, much, much, younger than me, and she made a profound statement:  "Are we throwing stones that we were taught not to throw?"

Love Is Kind

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23

 

 Think for a moment, who comes to mind when you hear the word "love"? 

I'm sure your someone special is kind, loving, compassionate, gentle, long-suffering, caring, and respectful. Love is very wonderful, fulfilling, enriching, and satisfying. It can make your heart swell to overflowing joy. Love can make you feel as though you're  walking in the clouds.