Sometimes our hearts get to hurting and we don’t know where to turn. When our emotions are bleeding it’s easy to forget we have a Healer. It’s easy to run from the pain. My friend Suzie Eller is here today to remind us that we don’t have to run away. Jesus is inviting us to run to Him. Here’s an excerpt from her new book, The Mended Heart. And… there just might be a way for you to win a copy at the end of this post.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble.” Luke 4:18 (NLV)
“Why can’t you get it together?” “If you would just try harder.” Have you heard any of these statements? Maybe you’ve even said them to yourself. Perhaps those who stood on a hot hillside in Nazareth were asking themselves the same questions. Many tried hard to follow all the religious laws, but knew they fell short. Would Jesus give them more rules to follow? Imagine their surprise as Jesus spelled out His personal mission statement: I’ve come to open the eyes of the blind. I’ve come to set the prisoner free. I’ve come with good news for the poor in spirit. I’ve come to heal the brokenhearted. The crowd must have been shocked by His words, for they expected a warrior, not a heart surgeon. Jesus Himself was setting the record straight. He came so that we might be made whole … through Him. For those who had been trying harder, striving more, it was a transforming message. They were accustomed to following rules or meeting expectations of man, rather than resting in the power of their almighty God. When I became a believer, I didn’t understand Jesus’ mission statement. I was dealing with untended brokenness and trying everything to fix myself. When I grasped the power of Luke 4:18, this truth changed me: The power of the cross is not found in what I do, but in what has already been done for me. Jesus didn’t mean for us to do this alone. It’s not our strength or power that will transform us. Yes, we make changes. Yes, we open our broken heart to His tender touch. Yes, we allow Him to move us in uncomfortable directions to discover new paths — and leave old ones behind. But we are in a partnership with God … and He’s bigger. I also discovered I didn’t have to earn God’s love. Maybe, like me, you thought God would love you one day, when you had it all together. Jesus’ mission statement proclaims that He loves us today. With our baggage and hurting hearts. When we grasp that kind of love, it changes us. It compels us to return that love, and to trust Jesus from our hearts. This trust helps us listen for His voice. We sense when He is teaching or redirecting us. We weigh temptation in light of our love for our heavenly Father. This relationship helps us discover our “true selves, [our] child-of-God selves” (John 1:12, The Message). Last, Luke 4:18 reminded me that I didn’t have to run away just because I felt broken. A hurting heart can send us running down paths we may regret, searching for something or someone to ease our pain. Jesus’ mission statement invites us to stop running and rest in Him, expectant that our true selves will emerge with His healing touch. The truth of Luke 4:18 is ours today to hold close, for Jesus came to heal our hurting hearts. Dear Jesus, for the longest time I’ve been concentrating on my efforts, but today I expectantly rest in You. Thank You that the power of the cross is not in what I do, but in what has already been done for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Isn’t it such a relief to know you don’t need to fix yourself, or earn God’s love or run any more. In fact, the more we don’t do these things, the more we live in Him; the more we build a foundation of rest and trust; the more joy we rediscover in our faith and in our lives. What will you not do today? Click “Share Your Thoughts” below do just that to enter to win one of 5 copies of Suzie’s new book, The Mended Heart. If you are reading this via email, click here to return to my blog and be part of the giveaway. {Your comment has to be left below this post to enter. Thanks!}
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I would love to have a copy of this book, I’ve been standing for my marriage for 16 months and this book sounds like it’s something I truly need right now
This sounds like just what I need!
sounds like a wonderful and needed book.
This book sounds like it would be a great reminder of God’s love. Brought up in the church and having lived through 2 divorces now, some of my mistakes are visable while others are hidden. I have always tried to live the best life for God and am constantly asking His forgiveness. I know there is a great need for women and I pray that in time, my life will be a testimony and strength I can share with others. But for now, I am still healing and need daily reminders that even though I may have made mistakes here, God still has a good plan for my life.
I need to get this book for me and my three adult girls! I free copy would be awesome!
My husband and Ineed to read this book but more pressing our neighbor needs it cause they lost their son to suicide.
I know only God can mend a broken heart. Only He can change my life and turn it into something beautiful.
It is a relief! A truth I seem to need to be reminded of often!
I will not succumb to what others say about me that isn’t true. I am His and I do matter.
I need this book too! Learning to let Go- Let God!
I would like to read your book. Four months ago I lost my mother and it was a very heart breaking for me. I felt it was my fault because I allowed her to have a operation that basically took her away from me and my children. It was not easy for me but I prayed day and night for God to mend my broken heart and He Did. I love reading your posts and I believe I will enjoy your book. Thank you
Thia sounds like something I have been waiting for!!!
Loved the post today. What I will not do is to keep holding on to regret that has taken place. It is in the past so I need to leave it there. I also need to begin letting things go. Continuing to hold on to these things only make my life more harried and wanting to hide in a shell. Thanks for sharing.
learning to run to God and not from God……a lot of changes and challenges in my life lately and sometimes I play the “blame game”. I need a mended heart 🙂
I will not walk in fear and will be more intentional in my relationships with people.
This post was a great blessing to me. Currently i am so impatient that i too try to take matters into my own hands. Father help me to truly rest in you and beauty of what you did for me through Your perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In His name Amen
This the book for me. I have been working on my brokenness for so long. Would love to win a copy but if I don’t will buy a copy. Thanks for posting
Hello, I am a huge fan of your readings! It would be a blessing to receive this awesome new read! Thanks for the opportunity
I have tried too long to fix myself. I know I have to let go and let Him work in me. It’s just difficult to let it go and have faith sometimes! Would love to read this book!
Would love to win this book, I have just been diagnosed with heart disease and I am working a very difficult and physically demanding job too. Love reading the posts here. Thank you very much. Mary