Some of the most beautiful people we have met in all of our traveling experiences have been those who’ve had broken hearts, shattered dreams, unfulfilled desires, and various painful experiences. In the last few weeks, we have cried and prayed with individuals facing difficult situations, attempting to bring them hope. The situations have varied from chronic health issues, to the death of a loved one, abuse from a family member, wayward children, broken relationships, sexual abuse, and rejection from family and friends.
During our services, there were many times when I felt a little overwhelmed at the hurt that I saw in so many faces. I could see deep pain in so many eyes, and I knew many of them were experiencing rejection and misunderstandings from those closest to them. I could sense the deep needs and longings, and the pain from their desires not being met. My heart continues to break at the devastation of what sin does to our lives.
As we recently came through the Easter weekend, my mind has been drawn to what Jesus suffered for ME. He faced terrible agony, indescribable humiliation, and horrendous pain so I can be forgiven, adopted, and accepted into His eternal kingdom. I’m sure His physical sufferings were more than most of us will ever face. Jesus was also forsaken, rejected, and betrayed by His dearest friends. Betrayal always comes from friends and family. It is impossible to be betrayed by anyone other than those closest to us, and that’s why it hurts so deeply.
However, despite how hard these things were, I believe Jesus’ greatest agony was caused by His heart being broken as He saw each sin that we would ever commit. Jesus knew that we would suffer the consequences of sin and would face guilt, shame, rejection, and separation from Him. His heart was broken for us. His broken heart was His greatest gift to us. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5:21)
God has given us a wonderful gift when He showed us how Jesus exemplified what we should do with our broken hearts. Regarding His offenders, Jesus prayed,“…Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus also used the times when He felt severe rejection, abandonment from his friends, and mistreatment from His critics, to draw closer to the heart of His Father. He is the greatest example for us to follow.
Has your heart become broken? Are you facing a bitter disappointment in life? Is there a loss that you are grieving?
What have been the events that have broken your heart? How is God bringing healing to your heart? Have you faced rejection, abuse, and misunderstandings that others don’t even know about? I believe God allows our hearts to become broken so that our spirits can grow. Would you rather have a broken heart and the opportunity for a strong, mighty spirit or a protected heart with a weak, “sickly” spirit?
Through all the pain and losses that our family has faced, we have been so blessed to have Jesus “show up” during some of our most difficult moments. And He continues to amaze me and bring me to tears because of His faithfulness! On our Easter tour two weeks ago, I had several incidents that were such “God moments.” There were two days when I was struggling with some lies that the enemy was speaking to me. My husband and girls were speaking life to me, but each evening, it was totally amazing how God had several other people pull me aside and, without knowing anything about what I was struggling with, they spoke directly into this very issue and brought the encouragement I needed.
On another evening, as all the ministry teams were on stage singing together, I looked over at my husband as he was standing between two young men close to our son, Austin’s age. As we were singing a song about heaven, I felt an overwhelming desire for a hug from my dear son again. It was so strong that I could hardly sing a word of the song and was just forcing to keep my composure together until I could make it off of the stage. After we walked off, I began sobbing with the intensity of what I was feeling. Several of the ladies and our daughters gathered around and began praying for me. When I turned around, I was surprised to see a young man standing back a little, silently observing what was going on. He was one of Austin’s best friends. When I looked up at him, we hugged each other and I again sobbed as I received the hug that God had planned at just the right time for me. I truly felt hugged by Austin! I felt such a release in my spirit and a level of healing that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. God knew exactly WHAT I needed and WHEN I needed it.
God knows precisely what YOU need in your circumstance. He knows about your broken heart, and He longs to give you “God hugs” as well. Will you continue to trust God with your broken dreams, unmet longings, and devastating losses?
Do you realize that your broken heart may be one of your greatest gifts? When you have a heart that is broken, you have the potential for a depth of ministry that isn’t possible apart from suffering. Have you found the “streams” that
only become precious after times of parchment?
If you have a broken heart, God has blessed you with a wonderful opportunity for the growth you truly desire. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. (Psalms 51:17)
Don’t waste your pain, but rather, allow it to strengthen you and make you mighty in spirit. The small, daily choices you make to trust in God’s sovereignty DURING difficulties will someday produce an abundant, eternal reward. God delights in your beautiful gift of a broken heart!
~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)
2 Comments
Jane Coley
Posted at 05:49h, 08 OctoberI never wanted this… no parent ever would. If I could have seen it coming, I would have put my life on the line to save her’s. This nightmare that every parent fears forever changed our lives when news reached us that our 28 year old daughter, Kimberly, had died. We were an ocean away from her and our flight from the mission field was grueling. I never wanted this ministry of grief but I cannot deny the need for it.
One month later, it was January in the states, and my husband and I had dropped by a small church for a Sunday evening service. The weather was bitterly cold outside and patches of snow were a reminder that winter was not yet finished with us. As we walked into the building, we were warmly greeted with handshakes and smiles, a good Baptist greeting, and then a question… “You’re the Coleys, aren’t you?” Another said, “I was in Bible classes with your son.” while others began to tell us how they also knew two of our daughters through the same Bible college. Then the expressions of condolences and sympathy began… “we are so sorry for your loss”… “I cannot imagine the loss of a child.”
We were introduced to the pastor, and then the pastor introduced me to his wife. I had no memory of ever meeting this young woman before. She was wearing a pink dress and her long dark hair framed her beautiful face. I smiled, and she accepted my extended hand in the familiar Baptist greeting. But, unexpectedly, this kind woman drew me closer to her and wrapped her arms around me. Her warm embrace was consoling to my aching heart in a way that words could not be. As she continued to embrace me, I began wondering how she knew our Kimberly. And then I realized, it wasn’t our Kimberly she knew…this pastor’s wife, and mother of eight knew my grief, and it was with her grief that she embraced me and cried with me. This mother had lost her firstborn 19 year old son, almost a year earlier, in a one-car accident, yet, her grief was still on the surface of her heart and we, together as grieving mothers, knew what words could not speak.
Only grief is able to console grief with it’s silent embrace.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort: Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
~ II Corinthians 1:3, 4
To know grief and to know the sufficiency of God’s encompassing comfort is a reality I have known since the day my heart was forever shattered. My Lord graciously holds the pieces together.
Cindy
Posted at 19:13h, 10 OctoberJane, I’m so sorry to hear about the unexpected death of your precious daughter. <3 And what a shock and hopeless feeling to be so far away. Yet, I can tell you're continuing to claim the supernatural grace of your Father. May God continue to carry you in His arms and comfort your shattered heart. I love your last paragraph: "To know grief and to know the sufficiency of God's encompassing comfort is a reality I have known since the day my heart was forever shattered. My Lord graciously holds the pieces together."
Until the day we will be reunited with our children in heaven, let's continue to boldly proclaim God's goodness, grace and sovereignty.
~Cindy