I was 21 the first time someone spoke the words, “God will use this for good,” in a painful moment. As much as I needed a few healing Bible verses for a broken heart, it felt like my friend was preaching at me instead of loving me.
Perhaps you’re trying to heal your broken heart today, too.
Maybe an unempathetic loved one has thrown a few Bible verses at you in an attempt to fix your broken heart.
This isn’t an article about how to deal with insensitive people. However, I do hope to encourage you not to turn away from God because other people misuse his words with good intentions.
Let’s take some time to uncover what God’s Word says about healing a broken heart.
God’s Definition of “Good”
The Bible verse beneath the glossy sticker about God using things for good is this: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
At first glance, it seems this verse is saying that even if the situation looks bad right now, God will certainly turn it around for good.
We like to quote this verse when hard times come and life crumbles around us.
Sadly, we often overlook the verse that follows: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).
Stay with me here for just a few more seconds, friend.
Verse 29 defines the “good” outcome God brings from our troubles.
God defines “good” differently than we define it. According to God, the good that will come from your pain is that you’ll look more like Jesus on the other side of this painful season.
Let’s look at a few more Bible verses for a broken heart.
Powerful Bible Verses for a Broken Heart
If you’re suffering today, if God doesn’t seem to be using your suffering for good in any way, here are some promises to hold onto.
1. God is using this pain to conform you to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:28-29).
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. (AMP)
2. You become more like Christ when you share in the fellowship of his suffering (Philippians 3:10).
And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]
3. He will not leave you alone in your suffering (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.
4. God is teaching you endurance, and he is making you mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
5. God himself will go with you through the raging waters and the fires (Isaiah 43:2).
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
6. The Lord’s arm is not too short to save you (Isaiah 59:1).
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short
That it cannot save,
Nor His ear so impaired
That it cannot hear.
Bible Verses for a Broken Heart or a Long Walk Through Life’s Valleys
I eventually climbed out of the painful valley in my early twenties. Looking back, I can see that God held true to his promise. He used my pain to mold me and conform me to the image of Christ.
In the valleys that have come since that time, clinging to the promise that God is using it to make me into his Son’s image has helped. There have been days when I could have cared less about transformation and simply wanted some comfort or relief, but God’s ways are always best.
No matter where you’re hurting today, there is hope.
God can use your pain for good.
One day, he will wipe away every tear.
Until then, we endure, we cling to hope, and we believe that he is working in unseen places. His work of conforming us to the image of his Son is his greatest work in our lives.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Stacey Pardoe
Featured Image by Mariana Anatoneag from Pixabay
Comments are closed.