Brokenhearted and crushed aren’t words for simple sadness or the average bad day. They describe a deep, guttural pain we all pray we don’t experience. Yet, part of living in our fallen world that has been impacted by sin is encountering situations that break our hearts. English dictionaries describe brokenheartedness as being “overcome” by grief or despair. This word was selected to translate the Hebrew word sabar, which meant to break down violently or to shatter. It’s the same word used to describe the damage of the “tree shattering” hail plague in Exodus.  

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“Crushed in spirit” is no gentler. The Hebrew word daka had a literal understanding that meant crushed like powder. This is used figuratively in a few places, like Psalm 34, to convey an understanding of being cast down and broken in spirit.  

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That’s the bad news – we’re going to experience devastation and brokenness that lead to crushing emotional pain at some point. The good news is found just before those words in the same verse. The Lord is near, and He saves. We aren’t left alone in the overwhelming spaces of crushing despair. God is near, and He will pull us out of those dark spaces eventually, even if our circumstances don’t change. This isn’t a one-off, feel-good statement in Psalm 34; this same idea is repeated throughout the Bible. Jesus himself teaches us to “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Peter repeats the sentiment in 1 Peter 5:7 when he reminded believers to “Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares about you.” God is not only able, but He also desires to carry our burdens because He loves us so deeply.  

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Consider Jesus’ response to Lazarus’ death. Jesus weeps deeply at Lazarus’ tomb with his sisters, extended family, and friends, knowing full well that He will raise Lazarus from the dead. He prayed so fervently in the garden of Gethsemane, feeling the burden of what was to come, that He sweated blood. Our Savior experienced brokenheartedness during His time on Earth. That’s one of the reasons Hebrews 4 tells us that our High Priest can sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus experienced deep suffering himself, and while He has every reason to sit in superiority and judgment of us, He instead is moved to compassion. This is one of many things that make the one true God stand out among a sea of false gods, both ancient and modern.  Baal, Zeus, atheism, consumerism, or you name it – they don’t care about your suffering in the way that a personal, loving God does.

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If you find yourself in a hard place today, take heart in the knowledge that God never leaves or forsakes you (Heb. 13:5). He is near. He wants to carry the load for you. All you have to do is lay it down at His feet. The heavy and hard things might not disappear, but they won’t be yours to carry alone.

A challenge for you (and me!) today – where do you turn first when things are hard? Sometimes we’re really quick to try to figure it out ourselves or run to our friends and loved ones without ever stopping to bring it before the Lord. What’s going on in your life today that you need to lay before the Lord? Take time in prayer today to do that.

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However, if you are not intentionally connected to a healthy community of believers, let today be the day you take steps to make that happen. You should take your burdens to the Lord first every time, but God also designed us for community. Other believers are built to walk with you through good and hard seasons, pray for you, and encourage you. ACF Life Groups are a great way to make those connections. Check out the website for available groups or reach out to office@acfak.org if you need help finding one that fits. Community is worth the effort!