There are a few promises in the Bible that we can cling to when we are in the midst of heartbreak. Whether you’re heartbroken over a past relationship, a broken dream, or just hard times in general, this post will encourage you that God is in it with you and that He will carry you through it! Take heart, and know that you are not alone!
Bible stories that are a beacon of hope for the brokenhearted
Below is a collection of Bible verses and stories that portray how God is an ever-present help to us in times of trouble. God’s Word is full of good news stories like these ones that encourage us when we feel low. The following are four stories from the word of God about people, just like you and me, who felt brokenhearted and hopeless. Those feelings are very real and hard and, dear friends, God does not want us to gloss over how we feel.
God’s presence, through the Holy Spirit, is with you and God’s comfort surrounds you even when you cannot see it. Furthermore, God’s help and steadfast love cover you while God’s goodness and God’s peace follow you. The unfailing love of God is near to the one with a broken heart today. Even our darkest moments are not too much for Him – He is strong enough to carry it all.
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“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
1. Leah, the brokenhearted wife of Jacob in the Bible
One of the most touching stories of heartbreak in the Bible is the love triangle between Leah, Rachel, and Jacob. In Genesis 29, we read about Leah. Her outward appearance was not as beautiful as her sister, Rachel. A man named Jacob fell in love with Rachel, but he had no money to offer her father, Laban. Then, Jacob worked for Laban for seven years before being allowed to marry Rachel.
“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.” – Genesis 29:20
But after the seven years were over, Laban tricked Jacob and the veiled bride he married turned out to be Leah, the sister of his beloved. In an unfortunate turn of events, Laban forced Jacob to work for him for another seven years and he gave him Rachel as well. So, both sisters were married to the same man, but everybody knew that Jacob loved Rachel and he just got stuck with Leah as well.
“When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” – Genesis 29:25
Imagine how Leah must have felt. She must have had such a heavy heart, knowing that her husband loved her sister. This story powerfully illustrates the burdens of life. But it also shows that God sees us in our suffering…
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“When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon.Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi.” – Genesis 29:31-34
Leah’s naming of her sons shows us how deep her heartbreak was. But look at the powerful verse that follows:
“She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah.” – Genesis 29:35
In the end, Leah’s situation did not change but she did. God redeemed Leah’s story and taught her about perfect peace in the midst of present sufferings. Leah had to come to a point where she realized that all her joy could be found in God and that her happiness was not dependent on her circumstances. Whatever difficult time you are going through, God’s love is evident in Biblical promises like these…
“The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
2. Peter in the Bible, heartbroken after he made a big mistake
Peter was one of the disciples of Jesus Christ who was very zealous in his affection for Jesus. But, at the Last Supper, Jesus warned Peter that he would deny Him when it mattered most. Peter could not believe that Jesus would say something like that and he protested. However, later that evening, when Jesus got arrested, the disciples scattered and Peter found himself all alone when people started recognizing him…
“After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.” – Matthew 26:73-75
After Peter denied Jesus three times and he heard the crow, he must have felt absolutely terrible. In some cases the pain of a broken heart is because of our own actions, or (at least a little bit) our fault as well. When we are in these kinds of situations, it can be easy to feel like there is no way out. Peter must have experienced feelings like guilt and shame that often accompany heartbreak. This is one of the saddest stories of heartbreak in the Bible.
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17
He’s the God of second chances for the brokenhearted
Photo by Guillaume De Germain
Peter was truly full of regret and grief because of what he had done. Imagine how he must have felt when Jesus was crucified and he would never have a chance to make things right. Well, that didn’t happen! According to the Bible, Jesus rose from the dead and spent more time on Earth appearing to the disciples, showing them His scars, and teaching them more.
On one of these days, Jesus expressed incredible mercy to Peter and offered him the opportunity to reconcile their relationship. Remember that Peter denied Jesus three times? Well, Jesus asked Peter a very specific question three times: Do you love me? And Peter got a chance to rewrite the story with a better ending this time around.
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” – John 21:15
It is interesting that Jesus’ response to Peter’s love is to instruct him to care for others (feed my sheep). The verse below sheds some light on how God’s comfort for us also allows us to share that same mercy and love with those around us:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Another story of heartbreak in the Bible is found in the book of Ruth. The story begins with Naomi whose husband and two sons had passed away, so she was filled with grief and sorrow.
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” – Ruth 1:20-21
Naomi had lost hope that any good could come from her life. She packed up her life and returned to her home country, leaving everything that was once familiar behind. Just as she was about to leave, she also instructed her daughters-in-law (who were married to her deceased sons) to leave her alone. Her intense heartbreak caused her to instantiate herself from those who loved her and the places she knew.
“Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me.May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” – Ruth 1:8-9
But in a true act of loyalty, her one daughter-in-law, named Ruth, vows to stay with Naomi. By doing so, Ruth is giving up her own people, culture, traditions, and even gods – She was a Moabite woman and Naomi was returning to Judah. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi was like a raindrop falling on the barren ground of Naomi’s life… It opened the possibility for something new to come their way.
The two women made the journey to Judah and arrived there as poor immigrants. They were both dressed as widows in mourning and so Ruth and bitter Naomi spent their days by each other’s side, feeling heartbroken and forgotten. But God loves working in the moments that seem utterly hopeless. So in a truly random situation, Ruth ends up meeting a kind and loyal man named Boaz who steps up as their family redeemer. He helps Naomi and Ruth enter into a new chapter of life when he marries Ruth and they conceive a child together.
“(Then) The women said to Naomi: “Praise be to the Lord, who this day has not left you without a guardian-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” – Ruth 4:14-17
Not only did Naomi’s hope and joy return to her life, but her grandson became the grandfather of the great king David who was a direct relation to the Messiah Jesus Christ. It’s incredible how God is able to rewrite stories of brokenness and hopelessness into something amazing! When He weaves our own lives into His grand narrative, it becomes something more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.
“…bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” – Isaiah 61:3
4. Imprisoned Paul, the heartbroken worshipper in the Bible
A fourth story about heartbreak in the Bible can be found in the New Testament book of Acts. The apostle Paul was traveling and doing missionary work, telling people about Jesus when he was imprisoned. Christians faced severe persecution in those days from both the Roman Empire and the Jewish people. Paul was not one of Jesus’ original disciples.
He was actually one of the Jewish people who persecuted and killed the followers of the Way… One day Paul was walking along the road to Damascus, actually on his way to arrest more of Jesus’ followers, when he suddenly saw a blinding light from heaven flashing around him.
“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Paul, Paul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Paul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:4-6
Paul obeyed the voice of Jesus and he tried to join the disciples in Jerusalem. At first, they were all afraid of him because they did not believe that he was really a disciple. But they accepted him after a while. So, the one who used to persecute the followers of Jesus was now truly one of them. Imagine how Paul must have felt and how many enemies he must have had. Surely, he would also face severe persecution like he imposed on others?
“They seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.” – Acts 16:19-24
Worship leads to breakthrough from heartbreak
Photo by Zac Durant
Here, we see Paul as heartbroken too. His conviction of faith was so strong despite the persecution that they faced. We can imagine how dejected and negative they must have felt in this situation after suffering humiliation and abuse – but what did they do next? Oftentimes our actions that stem from heartbreak are not our best moments…
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” – Acts 16:25-26
Instead of focusing on their own situation, Paul and Silas lifted their gaze and focused on the Lord. Perhaps they did not know that their worship would lead to their freedom, but they worshipped anyway. When everything around them was enough for anybody to be fearful, they chose to praise God still. And then the miracle came!
Sometimes our heartbreak and heartache can keep us stuck. That’s when we need to pick ourselves up. Look at what the Psalmist wrote: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5). When we fix our gaze on God’s power instead of overthinking about our problems, there is room for a miracle to happen.
Reflection prayer on the stories of heartbreak in the Bible
Dear God, as we reflect on these four stories of heartbreak in the Bible, may it be a soothing ointment to our own heartaches. Help us to be like Leah who grew and matured to the point of only finding her joy in you, despite her circumstances. We are amazed by your grace and the second chance you offered Peter and we trust that You can do the same for us today. Let us become like Naomi whose story was rewritten by the Father’s hand. Teach us to worship You instead of focusing on our problems so that we can experience freedom like Paul and Silas did. Amen
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
Eljoh Hartzer is combining theology and art to nurture faith journeys across generations. She is a Masters-level Practical Theologian with the University of Stellenbosch. She is also a writer and editor in the niche of Christianity and children's content and she illustrates children's books. Eljoh resides in the Swartland area in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
You can follow Eljoh on LinkedIn or Instagram.
