Healing the Brokenhearted

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"

Psalm 147:3

Depression may lead to an experience of sadness, and to a level that may prevent you from experiencing the joy and blessings around you. Sadness is experienced on an array of levels by people on a daily basis. The level you experience the emotion of sadness, may lead to specific treatments or require certain actions. As you reflect on God's love for those who experience sadness, I want to remind you that it is okay to be sad. It is okay to experience this emotion in a healthy way. It is okay to show this emotion when necessary. And it is okay for you to respond to it.

There are countless reasons that you may be feeling sad. There are signs that point to this emotion through your body language, verbal language, and self-expression. Changes that you notice in yourself or changes that others may notice. One of the benefits of a strong support system is that they can help to notice subtle changes and can be that mirror of reflection that something is different. Notice though that it is "something is different," not "something is wrong." It is important to learn about each individuals expression of emotion and changes that occur. It is important to remember that their expression of emotions is not wrong. Change the question from "what is wrong?" to "how can I help?"

Sadness does not have to be to the point that you end up in the hospital, but sometimes that does happen. Sadness can be a normal reaction to: life experiences, life expectations, disappointments, grief, a response to things heard or being talked about by others. Sadness is an emotional response of receiving messages from external experiences and processing them internally.

Feeling sad is normal. The length of time and how it may prevent you from being able to function is the question to consider. Being able to reflect on the source of the sadness. Being able to acknowledge the sadness. And being able to recognize the path to coming out of this emotion. Seeking support from others may be one way that you can look at your experience. But also being okay with feeling sad. Accepting that it is part of being present in this life. Remembering that Jesus also felt sadness. John 11:35 "Jesus wept." Hebrews 5:7 "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence." You also know that Jesus experienced emotions just as you do, Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

The Message version of Hebrews 4:15 is beautiful: "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin" So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

Sadness is not without comfort, because He shares with you: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). Sadness is not without healing, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3). Sadness is not without suffering, grace, restoration, confirmation, strength, and establishment: "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" (1Peter 5:10). These are the promises that God offers you, as you experience sadness. Keep in mind that He does not promise to get rid of the sadness, rather He comforts, heals, and restores. Comfort, healing, and restoring may be the things that become the motivation for you to overcome the feelings of depression, or experiences of sadness. For someone who is not experiencing depression, becoming these things for others is one way to be present without having to understand. Modeling through your responses to others, the comfort, healing, and restoring that God has for His children. And. Modeling your responses to yourself.

If you or someone you know is experiencing sadness at a level that may need further support please call the suicide hotline at: 1-800-273-8255.

Scripture:

Matthew 5:4

Psalm 147:3

1 Peter 5:10

Reflection:

What is your experience of Sadness?

How do you accept sadness?

What is it like to know that Jesus also experienced sadness?

How does your experience of sadness change when you allow God to be present with you?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I pray today for those that are brokenhearted, that they may find love and comfort in You. Father I know that depression can create a sense of loneliness, I pray that others find a relationship with You. I know that anxiety can create a sense of worry, I pray that they turn those worries to You. Healing comes from a place that You provide, Lord I pray that others find this place. I pray that these scriptures and reminders that Jesus too went through sadness, may lift up those who are struggling to find a way through this period of time. Whether it lasts for a minute, an hour, a day, weeks, or months. Lord I pray that they find for a moment Your comfort and healing. I pray these in Your name. Amen.