When Your Heart is Popped

READ PSALM 55

Psalm 55:12a-13,14 For it is not an enemy who taunts me - then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me - then I could hide from him. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.

Life can sometimes bring about the unexpected heartbreak of a broken friendship. In one moment you feel that your relationship with a beloved friend will last a lifetime, and suddenly, words are spoken, events take place, trust is shattered, and your heart is popped like a balloon...all that remains is shock and hurt.

You've replayed the events over and over again in your head. You wish you would have responded differently. But now, in spite of your efforts to restore the relationship from the ashes, it will never be the same.

The words of Psalm 55 shed light on a painful reminder that sometimes the deepest hurts in life are inflicted by those who are closest to you. The ones we have shared our lives with. The ones we have shared our deepest secrets with. The ones who have fought with us in the trenches. And the ones who stood next to us in the sanctuary as you worshipped the Lord together. They knew our strengths and weaknesses, and because of that they knew exactly what to say or do that would send your world into a tailspin. As David wrote this Psalm he referred to the person as his spiritual companion. There is some dispute over whether David was the one to write this Psalm because there isn't a clear story in Scripture where a trusted spiritual friend betrayed him. Although, in my opinion, the story of his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1-12) trying to steal his throne could possibly qualify.

But to debate that would miss the point of the entire Psalm.

When your heart is broken by a trusted spiritual companion, pain inflicted by someone you least expected it to come from, it can be devastating.

God understands. Jesus knows how you feel.

His encouragement to you would be to follow the final words of Psalm 55 and cast your burdens upon the Lord. As God rebuilds your healing heart you don't want it to be filled with bitterness toward the one who hurt you.

Carrying the hurt of betrayal by a beloved friend is a weight not intended for your back. Nail it to the Cross and walk away from it. Pray for Jesus to show you how much he has forgiven you. He carried your sin upon that Cross as well...don't ever forget that. And in turn, your heart will understand how far your forgiveness should go for the one who hurt you.

But my friend, I know it hurt. I wish it never happened to you, but it did. Don't let it wreck your world. Let God restore you and mend your broken heart. It's the only way forward after your heart is popped.

Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN.

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