The Beauty of a Broken Heart

Hey guys,

Today I want to talk about something we've all dealt with at some point in life... heartbreak.

You probably think I'm about to spill the tea on some tragic breakup I've been through. Haha, I'm not, but I bet I got your attention. ;) While you're here though, you should definitely keep reading!!

I am writing this on a Thursday, exactly a week from when I attended the Texas FFA State Convention. I left the convention knowing that my Star American in Agriscience Award application was being judged at the national level, and I thought I would find out the results sometime in August.

Well, I actually found out the results yesterday. Unfortunately, your girl did not advance. :(

As I looked at the social media post that National FFA put out with the names of the finalists, my heart broke a little bit when I swiped to the Agriscience category and didn't see my name as one of the top 4 finalists. I felt a pang of disappointment, and not gonna lie, I did shed a few tears. I had already mentally prepared myself to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana in the fall to be recognized on stage, and I had fantasized about getting a promo video made about Bailee and I's Agriscience Fair project. Now, none of that will be happening.

And that's okay. Maybe my application wasn't good enough. Maybe it just wasn't what they were looking for. Maybe I made one too many silly mistakes on my application. Maybe someone else was having a really bad day and needed the achievement to remind them that God sees them. Or maybe God was protecting me from the stress of traveling across the country in the midst of a difficult academic semester. I may never know the answer for sure, and that's okay.

We've all experienced disappointment or heartbreak in our lives. It's simply a part of living. Feeling disappointment because of a "failure"- big or small- is simply a signal that you deeply cared about something, and it didn't turn out the way you had hoped.

Over the years, I have experienced disappointment in a variety of situations. I'm sure you have too. In these difficult circumstances, I often seek comfort in words. Here are some quotes I've collected over the past several months and years that have encouraged me. I hope they encourage you too. Whether you are experiencing heartbreak because of a breakup, a bad grade, a goal unmet, a strained relationship with a friend or family member, or simply feel a general sense of discouragement because life isn't what you thought it would be, I hope these words are a healing balm for your soul.

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"In those unseen moments that feel like a waste of time, God is actually building in us the thing that is going to sustain us when we are seen." (1)

"Don't be mad at your desires, and don't be mad at God for not fulfilling them. . . in the timing that you think." (2)

"The results are up to God; the obedience is up to you." (2)

"Surrender will get you so much further than control ever will." (2)

(3)

"It's so much better to participate in life (the good and the bad) rather than sitting on the sidelines out of fear of getting hurt." (Citation Unknown)

Psalms 34:18 18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Chances are, you experience several small heartbreaks each week, if not each day. I'm right there with you. But each little heartbreak is shaping your character and teaching you lessons that will carry you to the future God has for you.

I'm praying for you, and I hope you have the courage to continue forward, even when it hurts. You aren't alone, as I'll be joining you in this endeavor. 💗 In the meantime, let's look at where God has us now and steward what He has given us today.

Love,

Breanna

Citation

1. Your season of “unseen”l pastor Jeffrey Smith l faithchurch.com. YouTube. July 19, 2023. Accessed July 20, 2023. https://youtu.be/EF_c9bDkFDQ.

2. I’m tired of waiting for ___!!: Honest conversation around trusting god ft. Tara Sun. YouTube. July 20, 2023. Accessed July 20, 2023. https://youtu.be/cpf3CZgZxUI.

3. The woman in the arena the man in the Arena quote teddy - etsy: Roosevelt quotes, Fighting Quotes, quotes. Pinterest. August 18, 2022. Accessed July 20, 2023. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/596445544418503530/.