"Survive"

There’s something that I want to say,

Till now I thought I can’t,

Afraid you’d think me negative,

Or going on some rant.

But here’s the thing I’m talking ‘bout,

When folks who do mean well,

Pretend they know just how you feel,

When life has turned to hell.

May be they offer scripture,

Or say you’ll be all right,

Or maybe they know just how and why,

And need to shed their light.

But bottom line they do not know,

And what it is you feel,

They really have no true idea,

How deep and raw and real.

So what to do about it,

It’s best to walk away,

Before your hurt gets out of hand,

And what you’re feeling say.

You know there’s no clear answer,

And it’s all up to you,

To choose to keep on going,

Don’t get over, but get through.

And some day it won’t feel like this,

When you walk in grace,

And ultimately you will survive,

And finish out your race.

“He heals the brokenhearted…” (Ps. 147:3, NLT)

Life can break our hearts. And when that happens, people can really get on your nerves with how they try to help you. I’ve seen people who were devastated by great tragedy have to cope with well-meaning advice from Christians who don’t know what to say, but think they should. Some want to quote scripture and try to provide an “answer” for what happened. Others insist on shortening the grief process by giving shallow advice about prayer and trusting God. Truth is, Jesus is the only healer of broken hearts. He will help us work through our pain over time. We don’t get over it, but we can get through it with His help.

Lord, heal our broken hearts, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bruce Greene, brucegreeneart.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Bruce, and God bless you.