In February 1988 American pop diva, the late Whitney Houston, released a song entitled, “Where Do Broken Hearts Go?” While it was not one of her biggest hits, it did reach number one on several of the Billboard charts. The question which titled the song is a relevant one though, and remains largely unanswered in many instances.
The term “broken-heart” has been defined as being crushed with grief and despair; wounded with sorrow and shame. Many of us may have experienced a broken heart at some time in life. It may have been due to a disappointing childhood crush, being jilted by a lover later in life, infidelity in a relationship or possibly a failed marriage. Broken hearts can also occur as a result of the death of a loved one, sudden loss of a job, failure in business, loss of a game, some kind of traumatic family crisis and the list can go on and on. Any life event that results in severe emotional pain can be the source of a broken heart.
But what do we do when our hearts have been wounded in such a way? How do we respond to the agonising pain of grief and the crushing feeling of defeat? Due to their inability to cope, many have turned to self-destructing measures in an effort to easy the pain, albeit temporarily. Many people just simply do not have an adequate support system that can assist them through the tumultuous storms of life. While there is little that can be said to comfort one during these moments, genuine expressions of empathy, care and concern do help. However, the true burden of the heart and pain that one feels can never be adequately expressed. So unless someone can feel what we feel, they can never truly know our pain. You see, it is only God who can see beyond the outward expressions and display of grief. For this reason the Bible assures us that He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15).
More than that though, Jesus has been presented, throughout Scripture, as the apt solution for broken hearts. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3). The Word of God is replete with expressions of how God ministers directly to the heart. It is absolutely clear that the Lord is concerned with the stability of our heart and the necessary healing in this regard. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all” (Ps. 37:18-19).
So I think that the answer to Whitney’s question, “Where do broken hearts go?” can be simply, the person of Jesus Christ. His work today, through the power of the Holy Spirit, ministers directly to our inner man and can bring healing to our broken hearts.