Probably, you have at some point in your life experienced a ‘broken heart,’ that feeling of deep despair and loss, whether momentary or long-lasting.

But have you ever ASKED for a broken heart? “Why in the world would I want to do that?” you might ask. Good question. After all, if we truly believe God wants the very best for us, why would we ask for a broken heart? Shouldn’t we ask for blessing instead? Well, yes you should. But have you ever asked yourself how MUCH blessing do you want? And what are you willing to endure to get it? Sometimes, blessing comes through an experience that breaks us of our earthly desires. It comes through a broken heart.

Is your heart broken when your children disobey and choose a path that is harmful for them? Do you think God’s heart was broken for a lost world? Do you think the heart of Jesus was broken for you when He put Himself on the cross for your sin and mine? What should our response be to such a sacrifice on our behalf? The apostle Paul answers, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11) In other words, “Give me the heart of Jesus for this world.” God is so interested in the condition of our hearts.

If we regard someone as a friend but then stay away from them when they are going through a difficult trial, what does that say about our friendship? If we say we want to love God and draw close to Him, we are saying we want to experience His heart. Are you willing to have your heart broken for the things that break’s God’s heart? How else will we draw closer to Him? How else will we join Him where he is already at work?

Let’s ask God to break our heart for what breaks His, so we can grow closer to Him and see ourselves and others through His eyes.