I recently had the opportunity to chat with friend, author, and speaker, Suzanne Eller, on an episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, Hope and Healing for a Wounded Heart – Episode 32. Suzie has authored several books but my favorite is “The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places.” We all have areas of brokenness in our lives, so I asked Suzie to share a bit more here about healing your heart, what that looks like, and what we don’t have to do.
As a neuropsychologist, I have to say that healing your heart is crucial for being who God created us to be and for living the abundant life Christ came to give. I hope you’ll enjoy the episode we recorded, appreciate Suzie’s words of wisdom here, and if you haven’t already read it, that you’ll pick up a copy of “The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places.”
There’s a Book Giveaway so be sure to read to the end!
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Healing Your Heart: One Thing You Don’t Have to Do Anymore
By Suzie Eller
When I was a teen, I loved nothing more than running. I was fast, and it brought me joy.
As I grew older, I still ran but there was little joy involved.
When I felt vulnerable, I ran emotionally to put distance between myself and circumstances or people.
When I felt God asking me to step into faith, I ran to avoid putting myself “out there.”
When I felt that I’d never measure up, I ran toward comparison.
When you are in the process of healing, running might feel like second nature. It may even make sense deep down where brokenness resides, but there’s another way for we’ve been given a promise.
We can run toward the Healer.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 NIV)”
I love this invitation even more when I read the passage in The Message.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. (Matthew 11:28-30 The Msg)”
While I have identified with the feelings described in this passage, after years of running toward Jesus I identify with the promises more.
- Run toward me and recover your life.
- Run toward me to find rest.
- Run toward me to embrace grace.
- Run toward me and you’ll never walk alone again.
We often focus on what we must do to heal. That can be exhausting.
Today, I want to invite you to focus on one thing you don’t have to do.
You don’t have to run away anymore.
When you run toward him, there’s direction and wisdom in the midst of our circumstances.
When you run toward him, you don’t have to fear that you’ll disappoint him. God understands that we stumble as we learn, for that is part of learning. We can also celebrate how far we have come and how that delights the heart of our Heavenly Father.
When you run toward him, he meets you right where you are. We know that because Jesus showed us that over and over again throughout scripture. There’s no magical marker you have to achieve before the healing process begins so don’t wait one more second.
Today I would say that I’m still a strong runner, but the direction I run has changed in all the best ways.
I’ve grown more than I could imagine, and that process continues even today. Layer by layer, the healing process led me to the woman God knew I could be all along and I’m grateful.
That promise is for you too.
Are you running away, sweet friend? If so, the invitation in Matthew 11:28 is yours to embrace. Run toward Him and He’ll meet you there.
Suzie Eller
Q: In what ways have you been running?
Q: Describe one way that Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message speaks to you in your healing process.
Now, let’s make that a prayer. I’ll start.
Lord, I’m not going to run away from you. If anything, I want to run toward You with all of my being. Thank you that You search for me, and You found me long ago. I rest as You meet me right where I am. I hide nothing from You, but invite You into my life, my thoughts, my heart all over again. In Jesus’ name, amen.
About Suzie Eller
Suzanne (Suzie) Eller is an ECPA bestselling author, podcaster, and popular media guest. She co-hosts, along with Holley Gerth and Jennifer Watson, the More Than Small Talk podcast.
Suzie has written 10 books and is writing her latest, Joy Keeper, which will be launched in 2020.
She’s mom to three grown children and their spouses, wife to Richard, and “Gaga” to six beautiful littles under the age of eight. When she’s not writing, she’s with her family, hiking, cycling, kayaking, dancing with her littles at the Farmer’s Market.
Stay connected with Suzie: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest
Book Giveaway!
In conjunction with this post and the podcast interview, Hope and Healing for a Wounded Heart – Episode 32, Suzanne Eller is giving away a free copy of her book, “The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places.”
Leave a comment below sharing with us one way Matthew 11:28 speaks to you and you will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Suzanne’s book.
You could also share this blog post on Facebook or Twitter then comment here to tell us where you shared it and you’ll also be entered into the drawing.
The winner will be selected at random and announced next Monday, December 2, 2019, here on this post. Continental United States only.
Read a Free Sample: The Mended Heart: God’s Healing for Your Broken Places
I have been so blessed not only by this message but also the radio interview you did with Suzanne Eller, Episode 32.. What she shared has resonated so much in my heart. Years ago I heard in a teaching that we need to join God in what He is doing and this passage in Matthew reminds of that. That has been my heart all these years but for years the fear I endured in my life that brought the broken places in my life kept me from running to Him. NO MORE, I do run to Him and want to be right where He wants me. Thank you, Michelle, for sharing this message of HOPE and HEALING that you and Suzanne have both shared. You are a blessing. I am sharing this post on Facebook.
Thank you Suzie and Michelle. I sure needed this this today. It’s just that concept of asking myself, “Am I running in the right direction?” that really hit me in this passage. Shared twice on FB.
I ran to Jesus with a wounding that occurred almost 2 years ago. My heart is at rest as I wait for His complete healing.
As an incest survivor (very early on in life) who repressed until mid-life when my children needed me to respond and protect them on another matter, I realize that I was probably not running toward my God as the role of God the Father didn’t even come within me for decades. I felt more betrayed by churches than any place else and ignorance is not bliss. I’ve learned a lot through the trials and tribs of inner healing and mending my broken heart. I love what you wrote about taking time away from what you always do ( for me within a church setting ) and really seek His face and warm embrace. I have only known and felt grace for about 10 years. I have to keep reminding myself that He still gives that to me in my imperfections. I still have ‘gap’ hurts and some will never change on this side of heaven for I cannot control outcomes or other people. So I keep giving it back to Him and I do surrender. I am thankful for the healing that has taken place within my life and I’ve been told I exhibit resiliency. Actually, I think I am a walking miracle of God. More to go before I sleep in the healing department. But God doesn’t measure time like we humans do. I am so glad He is in my corner.
I love the promise in this verse. Rest perfectly describes the Lord’s ability to sustain us in our body, soul, and spirit. And He assures us that we can enter into this intimacy if we come to Him. How easy is that?
I love that line, “learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” The idea of not forcing anything speaks of healing to me!
I am comforted by the verses from Matthew 11:28-30 inviting me to come to Jesus to find rest for my heart. I need to drop all my methods for dealing with fear and rejection and run to the Lord for His healing and loving touch. He alone will bring the peace and direction that I desire. He wants me to depend on Him for every need and bring me into his perfect peace which leads to rest and contentment. Thank you for your words of wisdom.
What a beautiful post! I shared on Facebook and Twitter.
Matthew 11:28 has been one of my “go to” verses since I came to know Jesus. Before I came to know Him I was broken, weary, beaten down, and tired of running! When this verse was introduced to me by a Christian counselor, I immediately believed it and I felt peace like I had never felt before. I felt a sense of security that I had never experienced. There is power in the name of Jesus, and I still cling to this verse today! Thank You Michelle and Suzie, for this encouraging post today!
That verse speaks to me because I am absolutely worn out. Beyond tired. I feel I have been running in all the wrong directions, and the verse is a good reminder to run to Jesus, not away from Him.
Can hearts really heal? I’ve lived all my life with this be oneness and the numbness that steals life. I’ve seeked after Jesus, but I must be doing something wrong. Is my heart to far gone?
I love this verse because he is asking to come just as we are. We don’t have to take a shower or dust our soul, we just need to come and he will heal, take our burdens and not place anything on us. It is such a beautiful picture of a parent helping a child. All we need to do is limp, run, or move towards him.
Thank you Suzie and Michelle. This was great! When I read Matthew 11:28, it’s so comforting. I can almost hear a sigh in the voice of Jesus that says, “Come to me, because I know what heavy laden feels like.” It’s a beautiful verse, beautiful passage with so much comfort. Your message here sounds much like the message in my book The Heart That Heals. 🙂
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Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
These words were beautiful and transforming truths for my heart today. Michele, I spend time in this space every week, but with arms full of children, I don’t comment nearly as often as I visit. I just want to thank you for the balance of truth and insight you bring to this space. You bless me every time I am here. Thank you for sharing Suzie’s insights today. I would have to say this is my favorite book from her pen as well, and it was refreshing to dive into these truths again today. May we run toward the great healer!
This post really spoke to me because Matthew 11:28 has always been one of my favorite verses for many reason. I worked in a Sleep Lab for many years, and I would tell patients that the experience showed me why Jesus used the word “rest” and not “sleep:” you can sleep all not and never truly rest!
I so appreciated Suzie Eller’s use of The Message’s translation of this verse. “Are you tired, worn out?” Oh how these questions speak to me in this season of life.
With all the talk of “Black Friday this” and Black Friday that,” all I long for is the peace and rest that only Jesus can give.