Heartbreak to Strength Blog

In college, one day of the year that I dreaded as a single, 21-year-old woman was Valentine’s Day.

I remember watching my friends get flowers and go on special dinner dates and honestly, I felt less than. Maybe you have felt the same way.

Valentine’s Day was a reminder that I was alone.

I think our culture puts a high demand on being in love or having a special someone on Valentine’s Day. If you fall into a different category like single, divorced, or widowed, this holiday can be extremely difficult.

If you wish Valentine’s Day was already over, let me share some truth that has helped me.

1. Valentine’s Day focuses primarily on romantic love, but I encourage you to expand your definition of love.

Think of all the loved ones in your life and honor one this Valentine’s Day. Place your focus on the love for your kids this year. Give attention to the deep admiration you have for your parents, siblings, or friends.

2. Valentine’s Day puts an emphasis on special dinner dates, so I encourage you to start a new dinner tradition.

At our house, we decorate the table like a fancy restaurant and eat our favorite finest cuisine: steak and shrimp. We exchange cards and gifts; I love my special Valentine’s Day dinner with my sons at home. Maybe it is time to start a new family tradition.

3. Valentine’s Day places value on the temporary, but I encourage you to have an eternal perspective.

Let’s end with your most important relationship: God’s love. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I love this graphic and the word Valentine in it.

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What if we viewed Valentine’s day through the filter of God’s love? What if we stopped trying to find our value through earthly love, but instead focused on our worth through God’s eyes?

Valentine’s Day is a reminder of God’s love!

I wish I could go back in time and share this truth with my 21-year old self. Friends, if you are feeling alone this Valentine’s day, remember the God of the Universe is whispering to you right now, “I see you. I love you. I made you for a purpose.”

Praying this truth sinks into your heart this Valentine’s Day!

Love, Jodi

“If you ask people who don’t believe in God why they don’t, the number one reason will be suffering. If you ask people who believe in God when they grew most spiritually, the number one answer will be suffering.”

I read this quote by John Ortberg in Michele Cushatt’s new book, Relentless: The Unshakable Presence of a God Who Never Leaves. Her book is powerful and her testimony even more powerful. I had the privilege to interview Michele this week on my Depth Podcast.

In our conversation, she shares about her years of suffering. She is honest and vulnerable about her doubts along the way. Maybe you are in the middle of an unexpected storm. Perhaps you also have doubts and feel like God has forgotten you.

If this describes you, let me encourage you to run to God in your pain, not away from God in anger. His Presence will comfort you and guide you. Like Michele says, “Presence lends us courage to persist.”

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Friends, God never meant for you to walk through your heartbreak alone. He wants to give you the gift of His presence in the middle of the pain. He wants to comfort you and help strengthen you as you fully depend on Him.

I know walking through grief and suffering is not easy. Allow yourself time to grieve and process the hard emotions. Give yourself lots of grace when the waves of grief try to knock you down.

Remember to focus on God in the middle of the storm, because He wants to meet you in your pain in a way you never knew possible.

Michele shares in her book that “His presence is relentless.” Keep running to Him daily. He will strengthen you during this storm.

I believe going through heartbreak on your own is nearly impossible. But, going through heartbreak with God walking alongside you and even carrying you, leads you to place of great strength.