I read this week about how an egg isn’t useful unless it is broken.  Immediately, I flipped to another article, not wishing to be reminded of the times in my life I felt broken.  After a few days, I returned to the article, now ready to face what reminders would come.

There are situations in life that take us to our breaking point, and even people that tear us down and break our spirit leaving us on the floor in a heap crying out to God in our soul-crushing, heart-shattering despair.   Consider yourself extremely blessed if you have never encountered anything of the sort.  For the majority of people, life has left us beaten and battered, tossed around in the storms that rage at us, tearing at our worth.

Rest assured; God is close to the broken-hearted.  Pslam 34:18 “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

I have written on this scripture before, and I always come back to it as it is one of the most important and encouraging messages when you are going through a devastating trial in your life.  When your heart has been broken, you are closer to God than you may believe.  He counts every tear that falls and knows the turmoil you feel even when all you can manage to mutter is His name.

Don’t fear appearing “weak” to others around you by admitting your vulnerableness as a human and showing your emotions.  Instead, feel sorry for those who do not allow emotions to show for whatever reason.  Feelings aren’t right or wrong.  They just are … and no one has the right to tell you that you are “wrong” for feeling a certain way or that you “shouldn’t” feel this way or that way.  Your feelings are your own, whether others understand them or not.  Your feelings are valid, and they matter.

Whether you’re grieving for a broken relationship, the loss of someone you love dearly, or a temporary situation that seems permanent, lasting, and unchanging, God is there in all of your brokenness.  Friend, I cannot know your brokenness nor you mine, unless we are transparent.  However, God sees all that has transpired leading up to this point, and He knows how it will play out even as you find it hard to breathe from moment to moment.

Consider this:

Ephesians 3:20: Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Maybe things have to fall apart and break our hearts for God to build back better in its place.  We are nothing without God in our lives and in our relationships.  You simply cannot get through life without God, and I, for one, would never even attempt a day without Him by my side.  He is my ever-faithful companion and friend.  When life explodes around me and I am at a loss for how to move forward, I put my faith and trust in Him.

God knows what the future holds, and you may not think God can use you in your brokenness right now.  But He can.  Broken can still be useful.  Maybe this time in your life has allowed you to become more compassionate for others struggling around you.  Maybe it has made you even more aware that people are hurting so deeply inside even though they flash that smile to the outside world.  Maybe God wants you to be the person to open your heart to show the hurting that you truly care.  All it takes is one soul reaching out to another to change the world in that instance for the grieving, brokenhearted individual.  Behind the scenes, God is turning this mess into something beautiful.  You just cannot imagine it at the moment but know that with God all things are possible through Him.