I was talking with a young man at church last week. He was a well-dressed, good-looking guy who seemed to have it all together, but I quickly learned that his well-groomed outer facade was masking the pain of a broken heart. A few minutes into our conversation, he started crying and said, "I'm broken. My life feels broken."
He went on to explain that his wife had recently left him, most of his adult life had imprisoned him in a desperate cycle of substance abuse and depression and only weeks before, he had been hospitalized after a suicide attempt. Through his tears he sobbed and said that he never thought life would turn out this way.
He wasn't sure how or when he had veered so far off course, but now, he wasn't sure how to begin a road to healing, or if healing was even possible. He is a young man with many talents and blessings, but in that moment, he felt hopeless. I reminded this young man of some timeless truths, which gave him some new perspective.
If you're going through a tough time right now, I don't believe you are reading this by accident. I believe with all my heart that God has a plan and a purpose for this season of your life and I'm praying for you. Whether you're facing struggles in your marriage, your health, your finances or any other part of your life, these seven truths below are for you!
At church recently, we asked everyone to write down on a piece of paper all the areas of pain and heartbreak in their lives and then we tore the paper up to show that God can set us free from the pain of our past. A talented artist in our church named Karen Brotherton took all those scraps of paper and created a beautiful mosaic of Jesus' face to remind us that God loves the brokenhearted and Christ's power and presence in our lives can be beautifully displayed through our brokenness.
When life feels broken, hold onto and remember these seven truths.
1. You are loved
You might feel alone and forgotten, but the God of the universe is with you and He loves you more than you can imagine. We often don't see things clearly when we're in pain, but never lose sight of this fact: You are loved.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love."Jeremiah 31:3.
2. You are not defined by your failures
Don't believe the lie that your identity is wrapped up in your failures (or your successes for that matter). God made you and He is the only one who has a right to label you and He says you are a Masterpiece.
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10.
3. This isn't the end of your story
Never mistake the end of a chapter with the end of the story. God has promised to work every detail of your life together in a beautiful way. He's looking at your life with an eternal perspective, so He sees the big picture.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.
4. Keep an attitude of gratitude
We can't always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we choose to respond. In those moments when I choose to stop complaining, and instead give thanks to God for the good in my life, the parts that seem bad start to seem much less significant. Choose to keep a positive attitude and thankful heart regardless of what you're going through.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
5. God's plans for your life are even better than your own plans
God's plans are almost always different from our plans, but His plans are always perfect. If things in your life aren't working out like you had hoped, it may be because God is trying to redirect you toward a much better plan. Have the patience to wait on His timing instead of forcing your own.
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.
6. God will never leave your side
You may feel like you're going through this struggle all alone, but from the moment you ask Jesus to stay beside you, He will be there to the end; So never lose hope!
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."Deuteronomy 31:6.
7. Keep going
Don't quit. You'll get through this.
" ... And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."Hebrews 12:1-2.
This article was originally published on Patheos. It has been republished here with permission.
