Brokenness is a common human experience that involves feeling shattered or fragmented emotionally, mentally, physically, or spiritually. It often stems from traumatic events, losses, failures, disappointments, and the hardships of life. The Bible has much to say about brokenness and offers hope, healing, and restoration to those who are broken.
Verses about God healing and restoring the brokenhearted
One of the most well-known verses is Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” This verse assures us that God sees our pain and brokenness and promises to stay near to comfort us. Similarly, Psalm 147:3 declares, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God understands our hurts and can bring inner healing and wholeness.
Isaiah 61:1 prophesies about Jesus coming to bind up the brokenhearted, bringing good news to the poor and freedom to captives. Jesus fulfills this passage in Luke 4:18, declaring that He came to proclaim freedom, healing, and restoration. As believers, we can bring our pain and brokenness to Christ, knowing He cares deeply and wants to make us whole again (1 Peter 5:7).
Verses about repenting from sin and returning to God
Often our brokenness stems from our own sin, rebellion, and turning from God. King David cried out to God in Psalm 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” David knew that God wanted a repentant, humble heart more than mere external sacrifices.
In Joel 2:13, God beckons, “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Here, God calls His people to repentance in times of trouble, promising forgiveness and restoration when we turn back to Him.
Verses about allowing God to refine and shape us through brokenness
While painful, brokenness can serve a redemptive purpose in our lives. Just as metal is heated, melted down, and purified, God sometimes uses the fires of affliction to refine and shape us into the image of Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).
In Psalm 51:8, David prays, “Let the bones you have crushed rejoice.” He asks God to use his brokenness to bring about humility, purity, and sincere worship. Similarly, Paul rejoices in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” In our weakness and brokenness, we can experience God’s strength and sufficiency as never before.
Verses about being sustained and comforted by God in brokenness
God does not leave us alone in our pain but provides strength, comfort, and encouragement. As David cried out, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 94:19). Paul affirmed that “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort” comforts us in affliction so that we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
One of the most treasured promises is Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” We can be assured that God grasps our right hand and sustains us through every season of brokenness.
Verses about bringing our pain to God
Rather than hiding our hurts, God invites us to come to Him honestly in prayer. David poured out his anguish repeatedly throughout the Psalms, unafraid to admit his pain. We see his openness in Psalm 6:6, “I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” Bringing our true feelings to God can begin the healing process.
Verses about God being near the physically and emotionally broken
Those struggling with illness, grief, depression, injustice, poverty, and loss of all kinds can take comfort that God understands their pain. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He lifts up those who are downtrodden. Jesus always had compassion for the sick and outcast in society.
Isaiah 42:3 prophetically describes Jesus: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” He gently binds up our wounds with care and tenderness. What a beautiful picture of God’s heart for the hurting and marginalized.
Verses about humility and serving others
Our broken experiences can cultivate humility and compassion in us. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” As we receive comfort from God, we are able to extend it to others.
Jesus displayed humility by washing the disciples’ feet even though He was their Teacher and Lord (John 13:3-15). He calls us to follow His example of servitude. Our brokenness levels the ground at the foot of the cross, enabling us to serve and value others.
Verses about God’s love and sovereignty over suffering
Though God allows brokenness for a time, we can trust His perfect love and sovereignty. David wrote in Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Resurrection follows crucifixion. Dawn breaks after the darkest night. Suffering will end, and God will restore our joy.
Romans 8:28 contains one of the most hope-filled promises: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” As children of God, our pain is filtered through His loving hands. He works even our tragedies and failures for an ultimate, redemptive purpose.
Verses about the hope of eternal healing in heaven
While God certainly brings emotional healing in the present, our complete inner healing will occur when we are finally in His presence. Revelation 21:4 beautifully depicts our eternal destiny: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
As believers, we can always have hope that our brokenness is only temporary. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.” Any pain we endure now cannot compare to the day when Christ makes all things new for eternity.
Verses about God’s faithfulness through broken seasons
No matter how crushed in spirit we may feel, God remains constant in His faithfulness towards us. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning.” With the sunrise of each new day, we are greeted with God’s unwavering compassion.
Psalm 119:75 declares, “I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.” While we may not understand all of God’s purposes in our suffering, we can trust His faithful and righteous character. He will walk faithfully with us through valleys of brokenness.
Verses about persevering through hardship and broken seasons
God encourages us to persevere and remain steadfast in times of affliction. James 1:2-4 exhorts, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” As we lean on God through trials, our faith and Christlike character is refined.
Paul endured many hardships yet persevered by God’s strength. He testifies in 2 Timothy 4:17, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed.” No matter the brokenness we face, God stands with us, empowering us to keep going.
Verses about casting our cares on God
Rather than being crippled by anxiety, we can release our burdens and brokenness to the Lord. Psalm 55:22 encourages, “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” God can handle the heavy weights we carry and will sustain us through every trial.
Similarly, Peter exhorts in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” God invites us to cast every care, big or small, into His hands, trusting His perfect love and timing to work all things for good.
Verses about God’s heart for justice
Some brokenness results from injustice, oppression, and unmet needs. God cares deeply for the marginalized and abused members of society. Psalm 72:4 describes God’s heart, stating, “May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy.” God promises to intervene on behalf of the suffering and downtrodden.
As believers, we can cling to God’s heart for justice. Isaiah 61:8 declares, “For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong.” Our tears and pain do not go unnoticed by God. There is coming a day when He will make all wrongs right for eternity.
Verses about unity and bearing one another’s burdens
As fellow members of Christ’s body, we are called to bear one another’s burdens in times of brokenness. Galatians 6:2 instructs, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We can alleviate others’ loads by listening, comforting, praying, and meeting practical needs.
Romans 12:15 exhorts, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” God designed the church to function as a family that celebrates together and also mourns together. Our shared burdens can unite us.
These Scriptures offer just a small glimpse into God’s many promises for those experiencing brokenness. May they bring you comfort, hope, and reassurance of God’s loving presence in every painful season of life. He truly does heal the brokenhearted and bind up all their wounds (Psalm 147:3).