Theme of the month: LIVE HAPPY... TODAY

DAY 18: LIVING HAPPY – EVEN IF YOU HAVE A BROKEN HEART

By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

Over the past series, several readers asked me to write something about living happily amidst loss or a broken heart.

A U.S. Navy veteran with three tours to the Middle East, a six-year-old girl who recently learned to swim and a man who would later on shield his girlfriend and her brother with his own body against deadly bullets. These are only three of the now deceased twelve people who arrived at the packed movie theater for the midnight screening of the new Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises on Thursday evening in Aurora, Colorado in America. Not knowing it would be their last movie.

About half an hour after the film began, the 24-year-old James Holmes entered the theater with a gas mask, weapons and tear gas. After setting off the tear gas, he started shooting wildly at the crowd. Fifty eight people were wounded and twelve died on the scene.

While Holmes, who after his arrest referred to himself as the "Joker" from the Batman movie, appeared in court on Monday, family members and loved ones of the deceased placed flowers and emotional letters outside the movie theater.

My heart goes out to all those who will never have the opportunity to hug their loved ones or tell them that they love them.

Do you also have a broken heart today? Maybe a loved one was taken from you in a similar violent way? Maybe a third party managed to lure your spouse away from you? Or maybe you recently had to stand next to a loved one’s open grave after a long sickbed. The loss of a loved one leaves a wound in our hearts that only God can heal. Listen to His promises when you are going through a difficult time:

  • Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
  • Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
  • Isaiah 40:29: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

God is near to the brokenhearted. He heals our wounds and gives us strength when we don’t have any strength to move forward. Where the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus came to give us an abundant life. Let us therefore keep our eyes on Him with the knowledge that He will never leave nor forsake us. Why don’t you run to Him for your healing today? God bless.

Father God, thank you for being close to me in my darkest hour. Help me to experience your presence and healing in my life. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

** Benescke Janse van Rensburg is a freelance journalist and author of the books, Ontdek God in die stories van mense, Wysheid-oordenkings uit Spreuke and Hoop in tye van nood-oordenkings uit Psalms.