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Hope for Broken Hearts Posted: 10 Oct 2012 08:11 AM PDT “We cannot heal our own broken heart,” write doctors Henry Cloud and John Townsend, but there’s hope. Find out why in this excerpt from the NIV Life Journey Bible. -Adam Forrest Learn More A broken heart vs. “normal” pain Brokenheartedness is a painful state of being… When we are brokenhearted, our inner self feels smashed into pieces. Brokenheartedness occurs when we do not have the capacity to bear a loss or pain and something breaks inside. For example, it is one thing to be discouraged in a relationship after a quarrel or period of alienation; it is quite another to be devastated by a severe relationship problem, such as deception, unfaithfulness, abuse or abandonment. We can also be brokenhearted about the loss of a loved one, a serious health issue, an emotional problem or a career loss. However it happens, life as we know it goes on hold when we are brokenhearted. What can we do with our broken heart? We cannot heal our own broken heart in our own strength; we need God. During those times, God does not leave us alone. He takes initiative, healing us and binding our wounds… God's nature is that of a healer: "I am the Lord, who heals you" (Exodus 15:26). Healing is part of his character. We need to turn to him with our broken hearts. -From The NIV Life Journey Bible with notes by Dr. Henry Cloud (@DrHenryCloud) and Dr. John Townsend (@DrJohnTownsend) Further reading: God as mighty healer (Psalm 147:3-7, 10) He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp… His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.   Learn More Learn more about The NIV Life Journey Bible: Find the Answers for Your Whole Life Q: If you feel brokenhearted, what could “turning to God” look like for you today? Also, how do you feel when you hear God doesn’t delight in your strength, but in your hope — in him? Is this encouraging? Challenging? Other? -AF   (Some styling in this post is a blog-exclusive feature not included in the text of the featured product.)

When There’s No Clear Direction Posted: 08 Oct 2012 06:05 AM PDT What should you do when you don't feel like God is giving you direction on a decision you have to make? This message from The Great Rescue Bible (NIV) holds some biblical guidance and encouragement for you. Learn More [READ] It doesn't often seem like God is specifically telling us which way to go. Sometimes he does. But a lot of times he doesn't. In these instances, following God means making the best decision that we know how to make. That decision grows out of our relationship with him and the person he has made us to be. Our decision may look like our choice, but it's actually something he has prepared us to make. God's Spirit often speaks to us through our hearts — through our desires, instincts and gut feelings — but sometimes we don't recognize it's him. "It is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). [THINK] In many ways, God's will is a mystery. But we do know this: God has invested a lot in us, and he's serious about fulfilling his good purposes for us and through us. When you're in relationship with God and you're seeking his will and what he wants above all else, his will happens. [LIVE] When God's direction isn't clear, deal with decisions based on how weighty they are. If they're small decisions (Should I eat pizza or a sandwich for lunch?), do what you think is best. If it's a big decision (Should we start dating?), give God plenty of opportunity to speak to you about it. Talk to him about it often, and spend a lot of time listening to what he has to say. If he doesn't speak to you about it one day, keep coming back to him and asking him about it. You can also think through the pros and cons of each option and talk about the decision with people who have a strong relationship with God. "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed" (Proverbs 15:22). [NXT LVL] Seek out two Jesus-followers you look up to; ask them to tell you about a big decision they've made and how they made it. -From The Great Rescue Bible   Learn More Learn more about The Great Rescue Bible (NIV): Discover Your Part in God’s Plan by Walk Thru Bible.   (Some styling in this post is a blog-exclusive feature not included in the text of the featured product.)

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