12 Healing Bible Verses for a Broken Heart
We all face heartache in life. When these times come, an invitation always awaits: We can turn to the One who always understands. Today, we’ll explore 12 Bible verses for a broken heart and soak in God’s truth for our painful moments.
Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free download to help you find healing and hope in God’s presence.
Bible Verses for a Broken Heart
Let’s take some time to uncover what God’s Word says about healing a broken heart.
God’s Definition of “Good”
Romans 8:28 is often quoted in difficult times: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
At first glance, it seems this verse is saying that even if the situation looks bad right now, God will certainly turn it around for good.
We like to quote this verse when hard times come and life crumbles around us.
Sadly, we often overlook the verse that follows: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29).
Verse 29 defines the “good” outcome God brings from our troubles.
God defines “good” differently than we define it. According to God, the good that will come from your pain is that you’ll look more like Jesus on the other side of this painful season.
No matter what you’re facing today, God wants to use this pain for good. His good plan is that you will emerge with a more loving, compassionate, empathetic heart. You will look more like Jesus and embody his love.
According to God, the good that will come from your pain is that you'll look more like Jesus as you walk through the darkness. #Godisgood #suffering #transformation Share on XLet’s explore 12 Bible verses for a broken heart.
Powerful Bible Verses for a Broken Heart
If you’re suffering today, if God doesn’t seem to be using your suffering for good in any way, here are some 12 Bible verses for a broken heart.
1. Romans 8:28-29
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose (AMP).
God is using this pain to conform you to the image of Jesus. He can use any painful situation for good, and his definition of “good” is that you will emerge looking more like Christ.
2. Philippians 3:10
And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did] (AMP).
You become more like Christ when you share in the fellowship of his suffering. Press into his love for comfort as you grieve.
3. Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you (AMP).
God will not leave you alone in your suffering. He is with you. Turn to him for comfort.
4. James 1:2-4
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing (AMP).
God is teaching you endurance, and he is making you mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5. Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you (AMP).
God himself will go with you through the raging waters and the fires.
6. Isaiah 59:1
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short
That it cannot save,
Nor His ear so impaired
That it cannot hear (AMP).
The Lord’s arm is not too short to save you.
7. Psalm 139:16
In your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them (ESV).
Years ago, while navigating a miscarriage, this verse brought me great comfort.
God writes all of our days before one of them exists. We don’t always understand why God allows loss, but we can trust that he is able to use it for good.
8. Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (ESV).
As you mourn this loss, cling to this promise. God is near. He will not abandon you.
Resist the temptation to turn away from him in anger or offense. He wants to heal you and bless you. He is able to redeem this loss.
9. Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything (ESV).
We simply cannot understand all of God’s ways.
Take time to grieve this loss. Meanwhile, ask God to help you trust him with what you cannot understand. This is where faith is tested.
10. 1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (ESV).
You might be feeling anxious as you look to the future. God is inviting you to cast your worries onto him. He wants to help you live with the deep trust that he will fulfill his purpose.
11. John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (ESV).
How do we discern the difference between the work of the enemy and the work of God? Satan steals, kills, and destroys. God brings life and goodness.
God permitted this loss, but he is not a God of destruction and death. This can be a difficult grey area to discern, but rest in this: God is always good. He wants to use this loss for good in your life and the lives of others. He will heal your heart.
12. Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (ESV).
As you walk this out, God is gently inviting you to climb higher in trust. In the meantime, he will help you know him in a deeper, more experiential way. He will also make your paths straight and heal your heart. Will you turn to him today?
Reflections on These Bible Verses for a Broken Heart
I eventually healed from the painful loss I described earlier in this post. Looking back, I can see that God held true to his promise. He used my pain to mold me and conform me to the image of Christ.
In the valleys that have come since that time, clinging to the promise that God is using it to make me into his Son’s image has helped. There have been days when I could have cared less about transformation and simply wanted some comfort or relief, but God’s ways are always best.
No matter where you’re hurting today, there is hope.
God can use your pain for good.
One day, he will wipe away every tear.
Until then, we endure, we cling to hope, and we believe that he is working in unseen places. His work of conforming us to the image of his Son is his greatest work in our lives.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 7, 12, and 16, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. I also recently released a teen devotional called Anchored, designed to help teens learn key biblical narratives and apply them to their lives. You can find these books here or read more below. 
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Devotions for Boys by Boys
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
These Books Are Free on Kindle Unlimited: God Wants to Heal, Restore, and Refresh You
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. He also wants to help you establish a rhythm of meeting with him daily as you trust him with the hard parts of your life. Click here to explore two books that will guide you: Be Still and Trust and Lean Into Grace. They are free on the Kindle Unlimited program and for sale in print.
Download Your Free Devotional Here
Set Free: Let God Do What You Cannot explores ten realms in which most of us need God to work in our lives and bring deliverance. We’ll talk about finding freedom from fear, worry, insecurity, bad habits, emotional pain, and more. This short online devotional will bless you as you let God accomplish what you’ve been unable to achieve through willpower. Get your download for free with promo code GRACE or for a donation of 3.99 here. Thank you. This small gift helps keep this ministry running.
I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
This post was originally published on April 14, 2018.
