Peace for the Anxious SoulSample

Day 3

HE HEALS THE BROKENHEARTED

One of my biggest anxiety triggers is what I call empathy overload. When someone I care about is struggling, I internalize it. This can happen even if I don’t know the person! Watching the evening news, seeing a GoFundMe page shared on Facebook, hearing about a tragedy in my community or a family in need—it’s like my own heart begins to bleed.

The reaction is even more intense when someone I personally know is facing hardship. I feel it all in my body. In my soul. Which often results in my anxiety taking on a life of its own.

Just last night I couldn’t sleep. Again. I was feeling so deeply for a person I love who is going through severe heartache. This morning God reminded me of His truth: He alone is the one who can heal a broken heart. Scripture tells us, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NLT). He alone holds the bandage our bleeding souls need. He is not a distant or uncaring God. He is the God who comes close, who bends low, who isn’t afraid of our ugly trauma or open wounds.

One of my favorite names of God in the Bible is Jehovah-Rapha, “the Lord who heals.” This is the name that appears in passages like Psalm 103:3, which tells us, “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases” (NLT) and Isaiah 61:1, which declares, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed” (NLT).

So, I remember again that Jehovah-Rapha is who my friend needs. My deep-feeling empathy is part of how God made me, but its purpose is not to ignite a spiral of anxiety. Rather, it’s an invitation to pray for those who are hurting and in need of the Healer.

We cannot save anyone—ourselves included. But Jesus can. Let your deep concern, your empathy, and even your anxiety lead you to deeper trust in him. And if you’re the one whose heart is shattered or spirit is bruised, call on Jehovah-Rapha and take heart knowing he is near.

Inhale Truth: Jehovah-Rapha

Exhale Trust: The Lord who heals is near.