Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 15, 2016
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
While growing up, my mother taught me many valuable truths: every situation has a positive side; everyone has a right to their opinion, and too much talk can keep a problem stirred up. But there is one thing she didn’t teach me that I had to learn the hard way: Sometimes people you love will leave. This is one of those difficult lessons most of us come face to face with in life.
Sometimes people leave because they can’t love; sometimes they leave because they feel guilty about themselves, sometimes because they are afraid of intimacy, sometimes God has another plan for you, and they can’t go where you are going, sometimes because relationships have their seasons, and sometimes because God removes them from your life. (That’s His love and protection!) There are numerous reasons why people leave, but no matter why they leave, it’s important to remember that God loves you and their departure doesn’t have to mean the end of your joy. Jesus never stops doing good for his kids.
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13)
There will always be people to love, and new people who need your love. The key is keeping your heart open, free from unforgiveness, bitterness, or self-hatred, and that you don’t become negative about people or cynical about love. It’s tragic how we wound ourselves by making unhealthy vows not to love or trust again because someone abandoned us.
In his book The Four Loves, CS Lewis writes: “To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
In the aftermath of the disappointment of desertion, guard against hardness of heart and ask God to give you His perspective about your loss. Keep your heart open so you can continue to love well. It will mean the difference between internal life and death.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
Prayer
Lord, help me to trust you with my heartbreak. Help me to remember that I don’t need to resort to being overly self-protective or cynical about people or relationships. You are my protector. Amen.Application
If someone you love has left you, talk with the Lord about your hurt and ask Him to give you the courage to continue to love and trust. Also pray for discernment.Related Reading
Psalm 27:10; Psalm 55:13-16; Isaiah 40:11Post/Tweet today
When someone you love leaves, it doesn’t have to be the end of joy. #WisdomHunters #whensomeoneleavesWorship Resource
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Hello thank you very helpful and good And God is wonderful