This world is filled with broken and hurting people. I meet with people daily who have been wounded. I have been told by those who have suffered a heart attack that it is the most excruciating pain you can suffer. I believe them. It is the most horrible physical pain you can endure, however, I counsel people in my office every day who suffer something even worse than the pain of a heart attack... it is the pain of a broken heart. The pain you suffer when you have a physical heart attack doesn't usually last a long period of time. The pain of a wounded heart can often last for years and is often unrelenting.

As much as I hate cancer, the destroyer of human bodies I hate depression, the destroyer of the human spirit even more. There are so many people who are in so much emotional pain that they can hardly face another day, and then just when they think they are too tired to take anymore, they face the darkness of yet another night. And often their days of pain turn into nights and their nights into weeks and their weeks into months and sometimes this continues for years. For these people who are suffering, often "abnormal" becomes their "normal." They have been hurting for so long that they hardly dare to hope that there is help for them.

To anyone who is suffering emotional pain I would say, "there is help and there is hope for you in Christ."

JESUS does not have the answer for you .. JESUS IS THE ANSWER!

I do not ever ever tell people to avoid seeking professional medical intervention or help! The wisdom God gives to doctors is amazing and helpful. However, I would graciously warn anyone I was counseling to not only seek relief but also seek the answer...JESUS! I never would be so foolish or unkind as to make light of the pain of another. I have suffered panic attacks. They are real! I have not had one in over 6 years now but I absolutely remember the pain and fear as if it were yesterday. I'm glad I remember. I have great empathy for those who are hurting. I believe there is hope and help. Real help.

Imagine that you have broken your leg. You are in tremendous pain. You go to your doctor and he prescribes morphine. The morphine is great. You have found your answer. No! Morphine is NOT your answer but only a temporary solution in order to receive immediate relief until the broken bone can be set and mended by the physician. Jesus is the "great physician" and he is the cure! He can get to the source of your pain. Luke was a medical physician. Jesus is not against medical doctors or wisdom...however, He is the source of their wisdom. Jesus provides more than temporary relief of pain.

The greatest comfort I received when going through an emotional battle was in knowing that JESUS is NEAR the BROKENHEARTED! If I have a broken heart and wounded emotions he is right beside me even when I can't feel him. He is near. This brought me great comfort during a difficult season of my life. The ministry of Jesus was and is to the broken hearted. It is not the well that need a physician...it is the sick.

I want to talk about something that I have been teaching the women of our congregation. It is about "surrendering" our emotions to God and taking our personal pain and heartache to the Cross.



We must surrender our emotions to God and purpose not to use our emotions selfishly. We must glorify God with our emotions and not abuse them. They are gifts. Someone once told me that I wept too easily and therefore I was weak. I kindly told them that I was not weak but tender. I believe that every tear we cry should be to the glory and honor of God. We should weep for the lost. We should weep for the broken. Jesus wept! He did not weep to get his own way or to manipulate. He was honoring the Father with his emotions. When we laugh it should be because God has caused us to be joyful .and even when we are angry it should be because of injustice and a righteous and holy anger.

God wants you to be a whole person. When you are healed and emotionally healthy you will be able to help others who are hurting. It is like when you are on an airplane and you are instructed to first place the oxygen mask over your own mouth so you can then help someone else.

I just want to acknowledge that anyone who is suffering emotional pain and heartbreak should never be made to feel ashamed and should never be blamed for their pain. You don't kick someone when they are down. Your broken heart is real. And God really will heal your heart. His heart is filled with compassion for you. His heart is turned towards you.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (peace) for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11.28-30

We all go though difficult and serious situations. Our emotions are a gift of God for release and to express our hearts. The Holy Spirit can heal our emotions and He can control them. He gives us peace that passes understanding. The Word of God says, "weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

I pray that you will be blessed and healed for the purpose of ministering to those who are weary and broken hearted. If you have suffered emotional pain or trauma I know that you are the person who will have compassion for others who are going through great sorrow. I pray that God's peace will be yours forever.

I love you!

Graciously,

Pam