Problems of the Heart #5

 

 

                                               THE PROBLEM OF HEARTACHE

                                                                  Proverbs 14:13

 

 

Introduction:

 

1.                  There is heart trouble...

and there is heartburn...

but, even more dreaded, there is heartache.

 

2.                  Prov. 14:13 – “Even in laughter the heart may ache,

and the end of joy may be grief.”

 

3.                  Heartache: one thing as an experience, another as a way of life.

 

Discussion:

 

1.                  Wisdom is realistic about the necessary balance.

 

a.                   Prov. 15:13 – “A glad heart makes a cheerful face,

but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”

 

b.                  Prov. 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

 

c.                   Prov. 18:14 – “A man’s spirit will endure sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?”

 

d.                  Prov. 15:15 – “All the days of the afflicted are evil,

but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”

 

e.                   Prov. 15:30 – “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,

and good news refreshes the bones.”

 

2.                  The New Testament offers glimpses of how a healthy heart aches.

 

a.                   In the presence of loss – John 11:35.

 

b.                  When there is reason for remorse – Matt. 26:75.

 

c.                   Disappointment over the failures of others – Luke 19:41; Phil. 3:18.

 

d.                  Along with great effort – 2 Cor. 2:4; Acts 20:19, 31

 

e.                   Out of gratitude and worship – Luke 7:38, 44

 

3.                  Here are three ways of moving toward the healing of the ache in the heart.

 

a.                   Remind yourself that the Lord knows.

i.                    Heb. 5:7 – “In the days of his flesh...with loud cries and tears...”

ii.                  Psalm 39:12 – “Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to may cry;

hold not your peace at my tears!

for I am a sojourner with you, a guest like all my fathers.”

iii.                Psalm 56:8-11

 

b.                  Take in some good news.

i.                    Remember, “good news refreshes the bones” (Prov. 15:30). 

ii.                  Luke 4:17-18 (cf. Isa. 61:3)

iii.                Acts 20:32

 

c.                   Keep a close watch on your spirit.

i.                    Is this making your more tender?  Is it becoming your way of thinking, your settled mood?  Are your staying realistic about what you expect of others?

ii.                  Prov. 14:10 – “The heart knows its own bitterness,

and no stranger shares its joy.”

iii.                Gal. 6:5 – “For each will have to bear his own load.”

iv.                “Life is like a mirror.  If you frown at it, it frowns back; if you smile, it returns the greeting.”

v.                  Someone has defined a smile as “the lighting system of the face and the heating system of the heart.”

 

Conclusion:

 

4.                  An unknown author wrote:

“Thou knowest, Lord!  The weariness and sorrow

Of all sad hearts that come to thee for rest;

Cares of today, and burdens of tomorrow. . . .

O Savior, Thou ast wept and Thou hast loved;

And love and sorrow still to Thee may come,

And find a hiding-place, a rest, a home.”

 

5.                  Both the New Testament and the Old tell us that is so.

a.                   Psalm 34:18 – “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.”

b.                  Rev. 7:16-17