Today's Encouragement

For Broken Hearts and Pain-filled Wounds

{Editor’s Note: As today marks the 17-year anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, we wanted to share a story of someone who lost a loved one that day and yet continues to find courage, bravery and strength through Christ. If losing someone close to you is your story too, know that we’re praying for God to continue to heal your heart as well.}

Lynn Cowell

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (NIV)


Her eyes began the search her heart had not wanted to make.

Scrolling over name after name after name, my friend scanned thousands, looking for just one: the name of her brother. For many standing nearby, it was a memorial of a time long gone, but not for Lori.

Though the memorial had been completed for several years, my friend had waited until she had the courage to travel to this spot. The hurt had been too deep, the place too painful to visit.

Her brother wasn’t supposed to be in New York that day. It wasn’t his hometown; going to the Twin Towers was not part of his daily routine. Yet, he was there, and now … he was no longer with them.

One day as we strolled through our neighborhood, my friend recounted for me the day she courageously visited the 9/11 Memorial at ground zero in New York City. She traveled back in time to that morning, now long ago, when she said goodbye.

How does one find the bravery to go forward when your heart is beyond broken, confused by the “why” even as time has continued to tick by?

The old cliché says, “Time heals all wounds.” Yet, as I’ve listened to my friend, I know time has nothing to do with the peace she experiences today. Though her heart still misses her brother, the peace I see in her eyes and hear in her voice tells me her soul is well.

Psalm 147:3 tells us, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Yes, the psalmist knew what so many of us need today: Our heavenly Father is the true source for deep healing.

While my friend will never understand why she walks in this world while her brother no longer does, I see she does understand exactly what the psalmist went on to say: “Great is our LORD and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit” (Psalm 147:5, NIV).

No, she doesn’t understand why, but she knows God does. She leans into the truth this psalm continues to share: “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love”(Psalm 147:11, NIV).

This is where Lori finds her hope: She knows God’s deep, unending love for her, her brother and their entire family. It’s this love that fills the empty space left by her brother’s too-soon departure. Pouring in God’s Word, especially through music, has little-by-little healed the hurt.

Only our heavenly Father can heal the crushing wounds that threaten to dominate our days. Only He can truly set us free from hurt and fear with His unfailing love so we can continue to not just live, not just survive, but once again find true joy.