Healing from Brokenness
Geoffrey Saroea
This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue of FOCUS.
We live in a broken world and life’s hurts are sometimes unavoidable. Brokenness, caused by various life experiences such as trauma, loss of a loved one, sickness, separation, divorce, betrayal, losses, or failures, can deeply wound our hearts and affect our relationship with others and God. Our hearts need healing through Jesus Christ.
The Bible is full of examples of people who went through brokenness. Joseph was sold by his own brothers; David was weary with his groaning and watered his couch with tears (Ps 6:6); Job suffered huge losses and sickness; Paul went through severe adversity and shipwreck. These examples illustrate that even the righteous experience suffering.
What is in our heart produces the texture of our lives. And while there are whole and godly items in our hearts, 
there are also wounds, brokenness and sinful things that are still lodged there. If left untreated, hurts can affect our physical, mental, and emotional health. Sometimes people resort to substance abuse to numb the pain of brokenness.
Here is the good news! We do not have to stay broken and live defeated lives. The Bible reminds us of God’s healing power is available for us: “He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.” (Ps 147:3). Jesus came to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free (Lk 4:18). Our God is Jehovah Rapha. He is the God of healing and restoration.
We may have not caused the hurts in our life, but we are responsible for our healing. Healing life’s hurts involves allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of sin and pain in our heart.
Here are some suggested steps that we can take towards our healing:
Acknowledge the Pain
The first step is a desire to be healed and, in some cases, overcome our denial of the pain that we are carrying. King David lamented to God. It is good to seek God and pour out our heart to Him first and not to people. We often tend to carry our pain on our shoulders, and it is comforting when we choose to bring our brokenness to the cross. “Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Pt 5:7)
Forgiveness
There are two parts to this step: First, forgive those who hurt you. Second, we may want to reflect and repent of our sinful responses when we are hurting. “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you.” (Matt 6:14) Failure to forgive people damages our own health and leaves us hooked to the original painful event. Unforgiveness affects our physical, mental, and spiritual health and hinders our inner healing. Most importantly it causes difficulties in our relationship with God.
Genuine forgiveness is like releasing a prisoner and that prisoner is you! Forgiveness frees us to fully live in freedom that Jesus intended. Joseph forgave his brothers who had sold him into slavery. Jesus is our perfect example. He was unjustly beaten, accused, and humiliated. Yes, on the cross Jesus said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk 23:34)
Sometimes, the resistance to forgive others comes because we want something to cling on to, or it may mean that we must start to trust others again. Forgiveness is releasing someone from the right of vengeance. Trust has to be earned.
Repentance
Turning away from sin, bitterness and judgments made in times of pain allows us to move towards healing. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9) The Bible is clear about not judging others (Matt 7:1,2). Judgements made from bitterness (bitter root judgements) defile us (Heb 12:15). Repenting of these judgements is a positive step towards our healing.
Softening our Heart
Hurts and disappointments often result in us developing a degree of hardness in our hearts. A heart of stone is a protective mechanism we put on to protect ourselves from more hurt. God’s desire is for each of us to receive a living heart, a heart of flesh (Ez 36:26). God desires that we soften our hearts so that we can fully experience the love of the Father and enter in the most intimate relationship with him.
Pain, while challenging, can also be a tool that God uses to mature and develop us and to draw closer to Him. By focusing on Jesus, remaining persistent in seeking our healing and forgiving those who have wronged us, we open the door to restoration. The process not only brings healing in our lives but also equips us to help others in their journey of overcoming brokenness!
Father God, I acknowledge the hurts in my life. Thank you for loving me. I open my heart to you and lay every burden and pain at your feet. Please heal me from every hurt and disappointment. Create in me a clean heart O Lord and renew a right spirit within me. Restore my soul and lead me in the path of righteousness. Let your joy and peace fill my heart for I belong to you. In Jesus name, I ask, amen.