Just change my name and call me Bitter. The troubles of the past have left me brokenhearted and I’m in total heartache for what seems to be just out of reach. That was the sentiment Naomi shared as she entered her hometown. On some level, while you probably didn’t have to travel from a foreign land, maybe you can relate. But, the world has lied to us that being bitter is OK if you have a reason or have been wronged. In this journey called life we get hurt or offended and often don’t deal with it, allowing bitterness to overtake us. God wants to heal us from our heartaches and heartbreaks that lead to becoming bitter. Your heavenly Father longs to have a relationship with you and heal you from all your heartaches and wounds. Even if you’re heartbroken, God can restore all the pieces. Don’t live a life in bitterness when you have a Father in heaven who is longing to give you joy and a future.

God can heal your broken heart but you have to give Him all the pieces

1. Heartache‍‍

Heartache is felt when we long for something but never receive it. This can develop as early as childhood and we end up spending our adult life trying to fill that void. It isn’t uncommon for our view of God to act as a projection or rejection of our earthly fathers. But as we develop our relationship with Christ, his love heals our wounds through acceptance and grace. He leads us to the Father who declares that we are worthy.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” —John 14:6‭-‬7

2.  Heartbreak

Whenever we lose an important relationship, we experience heartbreak. Whether we admit it or not, our brains and our bodies will register the loss as deeply painful. Thankfully, God has promised to be near us in our heartbreak so that He can heal the pain. Just as a broken bone needs time in a cast, your heart needs time to heal. Our part is to trust the work that God is doing.

Whether you are going through heartache or heartbreak, God is there with you. He wants to heal and restore the broken pieces of your heart. Maybe you’ve become bitter in the process, but when you add what Jesus did on the cross to the equation, that bitter season can turn into a sweet one. After you allow Him to heal your heart, you’ll want a relationship without needing one. You’ll see not just the mistakes of others, but you’ll acknowledge your own and learn from them. You’ll talk about that past situation with emotional control. And you’ll finally feel free to celebrate the happiness of others and look forward to the future God has for your life.