An article on the front page of a national newspaper had this headline, “Heartbreak hurts physically too.” The article referred to a study which concluded that when we are hurt emotionally, physical pain can result. The lead author of the study concluded, “The mind, brain and body are tightly linked.”
In writing these words I thought about Job in the Old Testament. In the midst of his misery and suffering he said, “At night my bones all ache. The pain that gnaws at me never stops.” (Job 30:17)
Perhaps someone reading this today has a broken heart. Maybe you have lost someone in death who you loved as much as life itself. Life is full of things that can leave us brokenhearted: a failed marriage, a lost job, a grim diagnosis at the doctor’s office, children who have made bad choices. The list could go on for miles.
One of my favorite songs by Jackson Browne has the words, “Here come those tears again.” Sometimes there are no easy answers. Only questions. Sometimes the pain lingers for a long time. Sometimes the tears won’t stop.
Scripture has a word of hope for those with a broken heart: God is near to those who are struggling with this. The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) May this be our hope and faith, especially when our heart is broken.