For the Brokenhearted


Have you ever felt like giving up? Maybe you lost hope for a dream you once had, or perhaps someone broke your heart and you feel like you'll never meet another person like them again. The pain is especially significant when we lose a loved one who was really close to us. We can never talk to that person ever again. The panic sets in, the sadness seeps through our veins and most of us become hopeless. We narrow in on that one issue--that one BIG issue of course, but we can't see the full scope of God's plans right in front of us. Did you ever ask God, "Why did you let this happen?" Me too. 

In that very moment, the pain is so deep, that it radiates throughout both of your arms, throughout your entire being. Sometimes, people will even get chest pains, and confuse it with something of a larger concern. But there is something called, "broken heart syndrome." 

Broken Heart Syndrome 

Broken heart syndrome, also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy, can strike even if you’re healthy. Women are more likely than men to experience the sudden, intense chest pain — the reaction to a surge of stress hormones—that can be caused by an emotionally stressful event. It could be the death of a loved one or even a divorce, breakup or physical separation, betrayal or romantic rejection. It could even happen after a good shock (like winning the lottery.) Broken heart syndrome may be misdiagnosed as a heart attack because the symptoms and test results are similar. In fact, tests show dramatic changes in rhythm and blood substances that are typical of a heart attack. But unlike a heart attack, there’s no evidence of blocked heart arteries in broken heart syndrome. In broken heart syndrome, a part of your heart temporarily enlarges and doesn’t pump well, while the rest of your heart functions normally or with even more forceful contractions. Researchers are just starting to learn the causes, and how to diagnose and treat it. The bad news: Broken heart syndrome can lead to severe, short-term heart muscle failure. The good news: Broken heart syndrome is usually treatable. Most people who experience it make a full recovery within weeks, and they’re at low risk for it happening again (although in rare cases in can be fatal.)

God Will Give You Strength 

"Dear bothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything." ---James 1:2-4 

Remember, that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning, as it says in Psalm 30:5. I don't mean that you're going to be joyful the day after a funeral or divorce, but what that means is, God's timing is different than ours. We may have to go through a healing phase---a time of resting our hearts and trusting in God's healing. It won't be overnight, but if you allow all the emotions to come in, and let it back out, you have done what's called "shadow work"---a season of darkness, in order to strengthen and uphold you. When you put all your trust in God, in the midst of your grief or whatever heartbreaking thing you're going through, you're going to encounter miracles---big or small---but God will show you a way out. 

Pray Without Ceasing! 

"But I don't know how to pray or what to pray for." 

I had someone tell me this a few days ago. In Romans 8:26-27, it states, "The Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will."

In other words, all you have to do is go to a quiet spot in your home or wherever you are and say, "God, please just pray for me!" It's as simple as that. Sometimes we are so sad, so emotionally distraught that we can't even muster up a word or two. "Pray for me!" That's all. Or, "God help me!" Even though these "prayers" sound simple and child-like---they work. Don't ever underestimate the power of God's willingness to help those who are in need. He can hear your heart. Never doubt that. 

So whatever you're going through today, whether big or small, give it to God. Talk to Him. You may feel something or you may feel nothing, but trust that He is there listening, and feeling every single emotion that's stirring your broken heart. 

"He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds." ---Psalm 147:3

For more of Deb's articles, please visit: www.debrapasquella.com or join her on Facebook and Twitter. Check out her cooking blog at DebsCucina.com for some of her famous recipes