What do you do with your broken heart?

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." PSALM 34:18

What do you do with your broken heart? What happens when you're stuck and afraid and unsure of what to do next? It's interesting how we so quickly want to fix things when they break — especially when it's something as personal and intimate as our hearts. But I think, sometimes, in our deep desire to fix all that is broken, we forget what opportunity it might bring to increase our faith. And to be honest, I don't know how to patch up a heart but it might not be about patching up anything at all. Because I don't think hearts don't get broken [by] accident. I think hearts get broken because God is so sure that something trapped inside needed to get out so that something so much better can pour in. But it's also not something we can ignore. Pain demands that we pay attention to it. How do you tangibly bring life back to your lifeless heart? Choose what you KNOW over what you FEEL.  Memorizing what Truth says in Scripture can be one of the best ways to combat the enemy's sneaky ways and how he twists heartbreak to become so divisive and personal. When you begin to say, "I feel lonely…" or, "I feel depressed," remember that feelings are fleeting but truth is unchanging. Identify when you begin to feel the weight of a lie that says something like, "You're unlovable," or "You're going to die alone," and replace it with what you KNOW. When you diligently work to memorize what TRUTH says, you'll be armored up to stand against the lies that heartbreak can sometimes let seep in. Heartbreak can be a vulnerable place to be and while it's good to be vulnerable with the Lord, you have to put on the armor of God or you're also going to be open to attacks from the enemy. The enemy tries to play on our weakness but God can display His power through it (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). *** Don't just mope around expecting time to heal your heart. Time doesn't heal your heart, Jesus does. *** In the midst of this season of healing and finding purpose in the pain, don't overlook the importance of standing on the Rock of Truth when you feel like you've been shaken to the core: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ~ Ephesians 6:10-11. Dear God, thank you that you have equipped me with your Truth to fight the storm of feelings in my broken heart. I know that you are my Healer and my Comforter. In Jesus' name, amen.