Tattered Hearts, Topsy-Turvy World : Part 2

Mending Your Heart in a Broken World: Finding Comfort in the Scriptures
by Patsy Clairmont

(Page 2 of 2)

Nowadays I travel around the country speaking to thousands of people about the God who sets prisoners free, mends broken hearts, and comforts the hurting, the lonely, and the lost. And I ought to know.

Today I believe in miracles. Out of brokenness can come good: Character can be deepened, relationships can be restored, emotions can be steadied, and a mind can be healed. Now, isn't that miraculous?

Please note: I'm not a counselor or a pastor; I'm merely a cracked pot seeking superglue for my own heart in this topsy-turvy world. As a matter of fact, last year, when upheaval revisited my life, I turned to Scripture in search of healing for my tattered self-image and for counsel regarding some damaged relationships. In the Book of Nehemiah I discovered insight, instruction, and encouragement. In fact, I found it so mentally stabilizing, emotionally comforting, and spiritually enriching that I wanted to share it with others - I wanted to share it with you. I pray that together we can draw from the trying experiences of Nehemiah's people to help us all - even when our world is askew.

Topsy-Turvy World

This broken world is full of hazards and dangers; our daily lives are filled with examples.

"Hold Mommy's hand, and don't let go," a young woman sternly cautioned her wide-eyed child at the grocery store.

"Did you lock the car doors?" a wife quizzed her husband as they entered the neighborhood post office.

"Whatever you do, don't set down your briefcase even for a minute," a coworker reminded her traveling companion at a bustling airport.

"Cover the keypad while you dial," whispered a father to his teenage daughter in a restaurant.

"We'd better stick our packages in the trunk," prompted one shopper to another when they stopped for coffee.

We live in a day when vigilance is necessary even in Small Town, U.S.A., lest we become the next victim in this fractured world. And it only takes one time of being threatened, cheated, or worse, accosted in some harmful way, to cause one's heart to fill with fear and dread. One brick through a windshield, one psycho driver on the freeway, or one desperate gunman, and we are reminded how vulnerable we are.

Recently a woman in her late fifties approached my book table at a conference where I was speaking. She was using a cane, and obviously she had trouble getting around. I noted her struggle, and I figured she had gone through hip surgery. But as we chatted, she told me that she and her husband were dragged from their car, beaten, and left for dead by young men trying to qualify for a gang. She said her husband was still facing several surgeries to fuse his spine. I was stunned at how torn their hearts must be as their world was brutally ripped apart.

Yet it doesn't take strangers, gang members, or thieves to teach us our defenselessness, does it? A reckless parent, a thoughtless teacher, a well-meaning friend, or a beloved child can leave a trail of pain across our tender hearts. Not to mention our own foolish choices, inappropriate responses, and sinful tendencies. Then add life's calamities such as fierce storms, financial reversals, and loved ones' deaths. No, we don't even have to stray out our front doors to find life can be brutal, people can be dangerous, and often we add to the problem.

"Golly, what's the good news?" you ask. "Hurry, please."

Yes, we live in a hazardous world, where jolts and crashes leave us whiplashed and broken. But I believe we will learn from Nehemiah some liberating truths that will enable us to shore up our interior strength, renovate our minds, repair some breaches, and guard our vulnerable hearts. Also, we will enter into victory celebrations, which in contrast to this jagged-edged world, is good news-yes, good news indeed!

Before we begin our journey, let's set the stage for the time period we'll be looking at. Nehemiah lived during the reign of the Persian king Artaxerxes, which was from 464 to 424 B.C. Even though Nehemiah was in the upper echelon of servants because he had access to the Persian king and queen, he was a servant nonetheless. Born into captivity, he had known no other life yet had a deep passion for his Jewish homeland and his people. Jerusalem had lain in ruin for about 150 years, its walls destroyed by enemies, its gates burned, its homes and temple plundered. Its people were too demoralized, fearful, and scattered to attempt to rebuild the city. The broken world of Jerusalem lay heavy on the heart of this servant man, who longed to see the city restored and his people gathered together again. Nehemiah's destiny was established in his name, which means "Jehovah comforts." Jehovah's hand obviously was on Nehemiah as the servant became not only the leader of his people but also a comforter to them.

The story of how Nehemiah brought God's people together and brought comfort to their war-tattered hearts is found in the Old Testament. Nehemiah's book is situated between the Book of Ezra, who was a priest, and the Book of Esther, who was a queen. A priest, a queen, and a servant... yes, God uses individuals from different walks of life to bring solace to his people. And Nehemiah's book, believed to be taken from his personal journals, is written with great warmth. From his emotional response to his people's needs, to his determination to rebuild Jerusalem, we find that Nehemiah, like a well-built wall, was a man of strong convictions and fortitude.

As we enter into Jerusalem's broken world, we'll see how God kindled a passion and a vision in Nehemiah's heart and raised him up not only to rebuild a city and a people but also to touch our troubled hearts.

To help accomplish that purpose, at the close of each chapter, I've written a section called "Heart Menders" that will offer questions designed, first, to help us personally to consider the scriptural truths, drawing them into our minds. Second, the questions are written to stir our hearts toward healing, that we might know God's comfort.

Perhaps you, like me, often are tempted to skitter through material instead of taking the time to pause and reflect on what was said and how it fits inside you. The "Heart Menders" will slow us down for some contemplative moments. If, while you're reading, you feel a twinge of interest in a particular story, quote, question, or Scripture, rest there for a time and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind. He may want to guide you to a new pinnacle of truth, lift your face to the Father, or enfold you in his tender mercies. And who would want to miss that? Not me! When we are quiet before the Spirit of God, we are far more likely to be aware of his holy nudges, his gentle stirrings, and his tender counsel. I pray that, instead of only gathering information, we would integrate truths into our lives, receiving godly insight, divine healing, and blessed comfort.

Copyright © 2001 by Patsy Clairmont

About the Author

Patsy Clairmont, a well-known motivational speaker, makes over two dozen annual appearances at the "Women of Faith" conferences every year. She is the bestselling author of such nonfiction works as God Uses Cracked Pots, Under His Wings, Sportin a Tude, and a collection of short fiction, Stardust on My Pillow. Patsy lives in Michigan and California with her husband, Les.