Scripture: Psalm 34:18
“Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”
Everything changed. Maybe in a single moment—or maybe slowly, painfully, over weeks and months. But something inside you shattered. Now you're standing in the rubble, trying to breathe, trying to put one foot in front of the other.
This is the unfortunate starting point in grief and in healing. There are no easy answers or instant inspiration. The harsh reality is this: your heart is broken. You feel as if your spirit is crushed. The path ahead for your life may now look like a dark valley. The overriding question is often, “Will I ever feel whole again?”
As a hospice chaplain, I’ve sat with people in the same place as you are now. The tears, the silence, the cries of anguish, and unanswerable questions. These are common. They are also sacred. If you feel like God has abandoned you, I want you to hear this: you are not alone, and God has not left you.
Psalm 34:18 doesn’t tell us that God is near only when we are cheerful or strong. It says God is near to the brokenhearted. Not just aware, not from afar—near. God is close enough to catch your tears, gentle enough to cradle you in your pain, strong enough to carry what you cannot.
You don’t have to pick up the pieces right now. God is already working on that. You need to let your heart be as broken as it needs to be. Let the tears flow. Let your feelings out. Cry. Let your questions hang in the air, as yet unanswered. Let today be what it needs to be: a pause to allow God to show His presence and care for you.
God is already here. That is enough.
Prayer
Loving God,
I come to You broken. I don’t know how to move forward. I don’t even know if I can or even want to right now. But I ask You to meet me in this pain. Be near to my shattered heart. Hold me in the silence. And help me believe—even if only faintly—that I am still loved.
Amen.
Healing Practice for Today
Set aside ten minutes to sit quietly. Place your hand on your heart and breathe slowly. As you breathe in, say: “You are near.” As you breathe out, say: “To my broken heart.” Let your body feel that truth. You don’t have to fix anything. Just feel what is true in this moment.
Journaling Prompt
What does it feel like to admit that your heart is broken? If God were sitting next to you right now, what would you say—or not say?
Closing Blessing
Sense the presence of God so near that
you feel His loving arms wrap you in love.
Release the need to be strong or whole for now.
Let the tears that fall feel holy.
Place your shattered heart in God’s care.
You feel broken—but you are still loved.
"Pray as You Go” (Breath Prayer)
Inhale: You are near…
Exhale: …to my broken heart.
Absolutely beautiful!
💖💖💖