broken heart

Thursday — July 21, 2005
A broken heart can hurt as much as a broken leg. A study done by California researchers found that we feel the pain of social rejection in the same area of our brain that senses physical pain. Writing about these findings in the journal Science, Dr. Naomi Eisenberger of UCLA said the study suggests that social exclusion of any kind, whether it’s divorce, not being invited to a party, or being snubbed by a friend, would cause distress in the same region of the brain that senses physical pain.

A psychologist who commented on the study said that these modern scientific findings support what the poets have written about for centuries—the pain of a broken heart.

It’s worth noting that Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah said that the Savior would “bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1). He would come “to comfort all who mourn,” to replace their mourning with gladness, and to turn their despair to praise (v.3).

When Jesus began His work among the people of His hometown, Nazareth, He read those words of Isaiah to explain who He was and what He was all about (Luke 4:14-20). The people listening were pleased, until Jesus put His finger on their spiritual deficiencies—then they threw Him out. He was rejected by those He came to save.

He couldn’t help those people in Nazareth and He can’t help us if we push Him away. To experience the healing of Jesus, we must invite Him into the deepest part of our heart and allow Him to be at home there. He created us, knows us, and understands the way we feel when someone tells us to go away. And Jesus has the power to heal.

If your heart is broken today, why not open it to Jesus and ask Him to mend your hurting spirit. That’s what He came to do. —Dave McCasland

bottom line: Jesus came to heal your broken heart. - From Soul Journey