.....bruised

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18

Giving a man his physical, a doctor noticed several dark, ugly bruises on his shins.

He asked, “Do you play hockey?” “No.”

“Soccer?” “No.”

“Any other physical sport?”

“None at all. I just play bridge with my wife.”

Whether it’s marriage, friendship, or family, even the strongest bonds can leave us with a few bruises. Not the kind that show on our skin, but the kind that linger in our hearts — a careless word, a misunderstood moment, or a time when someone we counted on didn’t come through. We've all been there. Relationships are a gift, but they can also be messy, fragile, and sometimes painful.

We don’t always talk about those kinds of hurts, but the truth is, even people with the best intentions can wound us — and we can wound them, too. No one gets through life unbruised. These emotional bruises don’t always fade quickly. They lie beneath the surface, sensitive to the touch. And yet, acknowledging those wounds is the first step toward healing.

David reminds us in Psalm 34, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God isn’t distant when we’re hurting. He’s right there, not rushing us past the pain, but helping us walk through it with compassion.

Resilience doesn’t mean brushing off every hurt or acting like nothing gets to us. It means being honest with God and with others about what we feel — and then choosing to move forward with grace. It means being patient, offering forgiveness, and remembering that the people who hurt us may be carrying their own bruises too.

So if your heart feels a little bruised today, don’t minimize it or tell yourself to just “get over it.” Bring it to God. Let him remind you that your pain matters — and that healing is possible. Because growing stronger in our relationships isn’t about pretending we haven’t been hurt — it’s about allowing God to heal us and learning to love more deeply through the wounds.

Father, you know the bruises I carry — the ones no one else can see. You know the words that stung, the rejection that hurt, and the moments I didn’t feel understood. Thank you for being close to the brokenhearted. Please heal what’s been hurt. In Jesus’ name, amen.