The Heartaches of Life – Jim Fowler

It has been said that the heartaches of life often form our personalities and perspectives more than the highlights of our life experiences. What kind of heartaches have you experienced? It may have been the grief of losing a family member in death, a chronic illness, personal failure, or financial loss. There may have been an occasion that forced you to reevaluate your identity and purpose in life. The rejections in relationships, breakups and divorce can have long term regret and pain. Rejection in family relationships can deeply wound and scar our psyche. Some have heartache over their inability to have children, while others have had children who grow up and reject their parents and family. Loving another always involves vulnerability to the pain of severed love. Those we love the most can hurt us most deeply. Heartaches seem to be an inevitable part of life.

The ”why?” question is often asked in the midst of pain and heartache. Is there a purpose in our bearing of heartaches? The purpose is seldom seen while we are suffering the heartache. It is usually only with 20/20 hindsight that we can ascertain the value of our heartache and how it has formed our perspectives and ongoing relationships. The question of whether God is instrumental in our heartaches, whether He allows or causes the situations that cause pain, suffering, and heartache, is asked by many while they are experiencing the pain, leading some to blame God for their problem.

There is no doubt that God is aware of our pain and suffering. The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Ps. 34:18). The Christ-one in whom the risen and living Christ lives will eventually come to recognize that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to that glory which shall be revealed to us” (Rom. 8:18), “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Cor. 4:17). Any heartbreak we experience breaks the heart of Jesus living in us as well.

Jim Fowler is a cherished and respected friend of Plain Truth Ministries, a wonderful brother in Christ, having served in a variety of capacities, on our Board of Directors, as a theological consultant and as an author and editor.  He continues to write, with his latest being “Manifesting the Life of Jesus” available on Amazon.  Jim is a treasure to the body of Christ, a Christ follower who faithfully reflects God’s grace in Jesus, as our risen Lord lives his life within him.