207: How to Heal Your Broken Heart

Jan 16, 2024

How to Heal Your Broken Heart

Getting your heart broken hurts like heck and they can be hard to heal from. Though heartbreaks are a painful part of the human experience, you can heal a broken heart and come out stronger and more resilient because of it. Whether it’s the end of a romantic relationship, the loss of a loved one, or the shattering of a deep friendship, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. However, just as the heart can break, it also has an incredible capacity to heal. In this episode I share how to mend a broken heart with practical tips that may help expedite the healing process.

The first step towards healing a broken heart is acknowledging the pain and accepting the reality of the situation. Suppressing your emotions or denying the hurt can prolong the healing process. Give yourself permission to feel the sadness, anger, and confusion that often accompany heartbreak. Allow yourself the time and space to grieve.

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The Bible says in Psalms 34:18, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (ESV). You don’t have to go through this alone.

Heal Your Broken Heart By Grieving the Loss

As painful as it may be, heartbreak offers an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth. When you don’t acknowledge what was done, you can’t heal from what was done. Take time to grieve the relationship. You can’t take any shortcuts through grief. In order to heal your heart, you have to expose the wound to the light so it can heal. Part of grieving is being honest about your feelings . . . the embarrassment, the regret, the painful memories. and identify any patterns or lessons that can be learned. Understand that healing involves not only recovering from the pain but also gaining the necessary wisdom that will contribute to your emotional resilience in the future.

Allow Others to Help You to Heal

The Bible also teaches us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). This means we are supposed to lean on each other for support. You can’t properly heal in the dark . . . or alone. Find a good community or a small group like Thrive Wives to help you through the process of healing. As you share your story, you’ll find that others can relate to where you’ve been, even if the details aren’t quite the same. Open up to those you trust. Don’t allow the pain or embarrassment of what was done keep you from one of the best ways to heal a broken heart – other people.

Why Forgiveness is an Essential Ingredient to Healing a Broken Heart

While seeking support is essential, taking an active role in your own recovery empowers you to reclaim control over your life. This is where forgiveness comes in. Forgiveness isn’t minimizing what was done. It’s also not reconciliation. They are separate things. Forgiveness is for you as much as it is for the person who broke your heart. Check the links below for past episodes where we’ve discussed the power and benefits of forgiveness in relationships. Speaking to infidelity, specifically, if a person is still hurting you or still being unfaithful, reconciliation is not yet possible. We still forgive, however, because we need to release the pain and we don’t want to hold unforgiveness in our hearts. We can only release the pain through forgiveness.

Setting Boundaries

In the aftermath of a breakup or a broken heart, establishing clear boundaries is crucial for your emotional well-being. Limit or avoid contact with the person who caused the heartbreak (if they are still unsafe or unrepentant) in order to allow yourself the space to heal. Setting boundaries is not about harboring resentment but rather about creating an environment conducive to healing.

During the healing journey, practice self-compassion. Understand that it’s okay to have setbacks and moments of weakness. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend in a similar situation. Remember that healing is a gradual process, and every step forward, no matter how small, is a triumph.

Healing a broken heart is a journey that requires time, patience, and forgiveness. By acknowledging your pain, seeking support, practicing forgiveness, and setting new boundaries, you can successfully navigate the path of healing.