Homelessness of the Heart
Homelessness stretches far beyond not having a home. Homelessness is a condition of the heart.
Homelessness of the heart often feels completely isolated, alone, misunderstood, condemned, judged and utterly helpless, hopeless - grief stricken. Sometimes those feelings grip your soul so tangibly that you are hardly able to move. Your body, your mind and your vision can be immobilized.
Homelessness of the heart is not selective. It can attack anyone, even a very committed and devoted follower of Jesus. I am living proof. I was homeless for two years but my heart has known homelessness much longer.
Homelessness of the heart can happen whether you abide in a multimillion dollar home or on the streets. It does not honor zip codes and does not discriminate based on any demographics.
I've seen homelessness of the heart attacks men and women of all ages. A homeless heart can manifest in the life of a single person or a married person. Even in a marriage viewed as a happy, a homeless heart can grow slowly or a sudden event can fracture a vulnerable heart leaving it homeless. Some of the open doors that can lead to a homeless heart are the;
Passing of a loved one
Loss of a marriage
Loss of health
Loss of a job/career
Mental abuse, Physical abuse and Sexual abuse
Neglect
Rejection
Oppression
to name just a few....
When hope is deferred for long stretches of time the heart grows very weary. Sometimes it's easier to believe for others and not notice our own growing sense of isolation, loneliness and homelessness of our hearts.
It can feel like a profoundly painful ache of longing for a place of belonging that doesn't seem to exist—a yearning so deep it feels like you're searching for something you've never truly found. It's the weight of displacement, not just physically, but emotionally where no matter where you are, you can't shake the feeling that you don't quite measure up, you don't belong anywhere. You feel utterly invisible, unable to be seen, heard or understood or valued.
I believe I can speak for many women when I say that we often give out of our own longing and our own depletion or in some cases, complete lack.
We love deeply hoping to be loved.
We care more, and sometimes fawn over others hoping to be cared for.
We empty ourselves giving in hopes that maybe someone will give love to us.
There is a special joy in giving and serving that is indescribable. As a matter of fact, we are called to serve others just as Jesus serves us. Nothing is quite like the joy of knowing you've impacted someone's life whether they ever know you or not. However if we dig deep enough we will discover that sometimes we are giving out of emptiness and hoping to be filled.
That sense of homelessness can grip our hearts making hard to exhale. Have ever felt that way? Like if you really let go and exhaled that you'd fall apart? I have. In my life it was a feeling like I was never enough, completely unloveable and my love was unnoticed and disposable. It's a deeply painful lie from the pit of hell.
When we learn to let go of our striving and seeking and give God permission, He will do what only He can do. He will begin by reminding you that He has always been by your side. He will never leave you or forsake you. His plans for you are good! Even in the coldest barren seasons of life, He is there whispering....Rest, I've got this. Trust Me. It's the hardest thing to do when you are in survival mode struggling to stay above water. But when you truly relax in the arms of Jesus you discover His strength, His gentleness and His overwhelming Loving Kindness. He will love you back to life. God will bring people and even animals to bring you a sense of belonging, wholeness and home. He will send people to love you back to life.
If you are there, in a homeless place in your heart reach out to a trusted friend or if you can, your pastor. Don't be afraid to share your struggles with a counselor if you are able to. Ask God, He will guide you.
Never doubt the impactful life-giving power of human love and connection. We need each other.