“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Psalm 34:18 NLT.

Unfortunately, you can’t protect your heart from being broken. You can’t build a wall high enough to keep your spirit from being crushed.

The medical diagnosis of someone you love can knock you down, leaving you struggling to catch your breath for weeks or even months.

The loss of a loved one can bring you to the floor in agony as it takes hold of your heart and refuses to let go.

The betrayal of someone you trusted can deeply scar your heart, leaving you to wonder how you’ll be able to heal and trust again.

The crumbling of a dream you’ve hoped for most of your life can send your spirit into a place of mourning.

Oh, precious soul. When the world breaks your heart and crushes your spirit, be still. When medical treatments ravage a loved one’s body and you feel helpless, be still. When you miss the voice of the one you deeply love and desperately need comforting, be still. And when the fragments of a dream become like dust and blow away, be still.

Be still and listen to God and God alone when the thief lies, telling you he’s stolen everything from you and there is nothing left. Be still and focus on God when all you see is darkness and all you know is loneliness. Be still and remember God’s faithfulness in the past when the pain becomes so intense you’re not sure how to move on.

Be still and know that Almighty God, the Creator of all things, comes to you in the middle of your heartbreak. He knows the workings and the depths of the human heart and spirit, and the Holy Spirit knows how to comfort you in those fragile places.

He knows you better than anyone else, and He knows how to rescue you from the intense pain that has seeped into the depths of your heart and spirit.

God knows what words you need to hear and what loveliness in nature will make your heart smile. He knows how to restore hope and infuse joy in such deep places that the enemy and this world won’t be able to take it away.

God will be your shield. He will faithfully protect you as He comforts you. He will remind you that your suffering here is only temporary, and He’s preparing a place for you to be close to Him for all eternity.

And yet, the Lord is close to you NOW. Be still and think about that. Be still and realize the reality of it. Listen for Him to speak. Calm yourself and focus on His goodness and His Word.

Maybe you’ll sense His presence in a physical way through someone else’s arms or a miraculous move of His Spirit. Or maybe your heart and spirit will KNOW He’s there, comforting you from within and bringing you peace.

The Lord is the only One who can do such a thing, and He’s promised to do it. Just be still, dear soul, and wait for Him to fulfill that promise.