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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Something terrible happened to me and my husband last year at our former church, where he was the worship pastor. I have been in depression since then and find I’m unable to trust people or feel any excitement about anything anymore. I am learning to forgive and let go of what happened to us. My prayer is that as God heals my heart, I will learn to trust people again and enjoy life again.
I need to run to Jesus to heal my broken heart. How many times have I run to anything but Him. So reassuring to read this, thank you.
wow to be able to rest totally in Jesus sounds so wonderful to me. I feel I am always chasing something to get a quick fix. this blog was such a sweet blessing. thanks
I just started working for the Department of Social Services..where there is definitely a lot of brokenness. ..would love to have a copy of this book!
I can’t wait to get this book. Truly a need after coming through a truly tough year.
I would love to receive the book, for a broken heart needs mending,
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Sounds like a book I need to read.
My 20 year old left home one night angry and hateful its been 6 months she wont speak to me. I don’t know what I did or why she decided to destroy a normally extremely close relationship. Of course a boy is involved.
The more I try to fix it myself I’ve begged, I’ve cried, I’ve been angry the further away and more angry she gets with me. The more I try to fix it the worse it gets. I want to leave her alone so much and just let God fix it but I just miss her so much my heart is literally broken.
This sounds like another awesome book for me to have as I continue to let God but my pieces back together again.
sounds easy enough but will do my best to go to God with things instead of worrying about how I am going to handle them. My husband’s mom passed away on Saturday. We all were very close. My husband is a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for almost 2 years. He already deals with depression so praying that God will be with both of us and rest of family and lead us the direction he wants us to go.
Wow, this encouragement is so timely as I struggle to understand that it’s not my efforts that will win God’s love but resting myself on the Cross of Jesus that will. Thank you for reminding me!
That is such a great reminder-that the power of the cross is what Jesus did! I am so thankful for these devotions and that the LORD never gives up on us and nothing can separate us from His love!
The excerpt was very thought provoking and calming! I would love to have a copy of this book.
Having been hurt recently, it was nice to hear these words; especially that I can move on even if others don’t move with me. God’s grace is sufficient to handle all my hurts.
We all have brokenness in our lives. It is what we do with the brokenness that defines us. Brokenness leaves scars but scars heal. Our scars are our reminder that we survived. Trusting and seeking God can turn any brokenness into a full and joyful life. Would love to read your
Book.
This is spot on for me today, thank you, thank you
I have had to overcome very unexpected and hurtful events over the last year…without God’s presence and guidance, His being my peace…got me through…Amen
Today I will NOT feel discouraged that I did not complete my to-do list. My worth is not based on my accomplishments!
Wow, could I ever use this book right now. Thanks for your generosity!
I am so impressed with God that I just cried out to him today and then I see your post and it has a book on healing a broken heart. I have been though so much in my life and I was saying God why do I still hurt? Why am I still angry that my ex walked off and left me after he knew how I felt about marriage. I am angry Lord and I still hurt! God help me. Its been 3 years but it seems like the anger and the hurt just keep coming and going and no matter how hard I try to let go its still there. Just knowing I was deceived hurts so badly. It seems as if I can no longer talk with my friends about it and even though I have been through counseling I still hurt. They quoted scriptures at me but I am still wounded at times. I don’t understand how somebody didn’t take their vows seriously and knew that I have children that I didn’t want to see hurt yet he came and he went like it was nothing. Like I didn’t matter and nor did our marriage. I keep asking God why did I have to go through that? I know there are lessons to be learned but I feel like my heart and the anger I feel will be a part of me forever. I thank you just for allowing me to share and the words you wrote really hit home. Jesus is there and I know it but I just want to get over this and get on with my life. I have gained weight from all the weight that I carry. It hurts to be broken hearted.