A Letter To A Brokenhearted Friend
May 17 2024 - Eric Buresh
I hope this letter finds you in the gentle embrace of peace, even if it’s just a sliver, as you journey through the shadows of your pain. I cannot begin to understand the trauma you are experiencing. I have not walked your path and I have not experienced burdens so heavy, but I want you to know that you are not alone in this journey. Your resilience in the face of extreme adversity is a testament to the strength that resides within you, a strength drawn from and nurtured by the unending grace of our loving Father.
I don’t really know what words to say, but the Spirit reminds me of God’s very purpose in sending Christ to earth – a purpose that echoes with the promise of restoration and renewal. Isaiah 61:1-4 is a prophetic vision of Jesus (claimed by Christ in Luke 4) spoken directly to you -- the broken-hearted. Allow me to share these words with you, not as platitudes, but as a beacon of light to guide you by faith through this dark time:
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
These words are a divine promise etched in the fabric of God’s own character. They urge us to claim the transformative power of God's love to heal the broken-hearted, to lift the veil of sorrow, and to bestow garments of joy and praise. Even during your pain, God is at work, orchestrating a symphony of redemption that will ultimately culminate in your restoration. You will, once again, know yourself to be a tree solidly planted, bearing much fruit for the glory of our Father.
But while you navigate these turbulent waters, I encourage you to cling to the hope found in these words. As you grieve, lament, and pour out your heart before the Lord, know that He hears the cries of the afflicted and draws near to the broken-hearted. In the stillness of His presence, may you see yourself being lifted from the ashes by His powerful right hand, to rebuild what has been shattered and to embrace the future with renewed hope, confidence, and vigor.
Your story does not end here. Though the process may be long, the dawn of a new day is on the horizon. Hold fast to the promise of Isaiah 61, knowing that the God who spoke these words is faithful to fulfill them in your life. You are not defined by your pain, but by the faith, hope and love that emerges from it, all rooted in the unfailing care and comfort of our Heavenly Father.
With love and prayers.