Broken Hearts Held by God by Author Fidelia Israel- Offers Daily Comfort and Faith Centered Hope for Every Season of Life 

Fidelia Israel delivers a heartfelt 365-day devotional, reminding readers that even in heartbreak, God’s hands never let go.

Broken Hearts Held by God: A Devotional for Any Time of the Year, by  Fidelia Israel, is a faith-based devotional created to offer steady encouragement, reassurance, and spiritual comfort to readers navigating pain, loss, disappointment, or loneliness. Written with warmth and sincerity, the book gently reminds readers that even when life feels overwhelming, they are never alone.

Designed as a 365-day devotional, Broken Hearts Held by God provides daily Scripture, reflective insights, and heartfelt prayers intended to meet readers where they are. Rather than focusing on complex theology, Fidelia centers each entry on simple, relatable truths that speak directly to everyday struggles. The devotional serves as a steady companion for moments when faith feels fragile and hope feels distant.

Fidelia Israel is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and woman of unwavering faith whose life reflects a beautiful balance of family, purpose, and service. Married for 41 years, she and her husband have built a legacy rooted in commitment, perseverance, and love. Together they have raised a family that now includes four adorable grandchildren who lovingly call her “Dadhima aka grandma” — a role she treasures deeply.

A woman of strong conviction, Fidelia’s priority is to serve God wholeheartedly and to live what she calls a “palms open life.” For her, this means living with open hands — ready to give, ready to receive, ready to listen, and ready to serve. It means being present for those who need encouragement, offering a shoulder in times of sorrow, and extending compassion without hesitation. Her life is guided by the belief that true fulfillment comes not from holding tightly to control, but from surrendering to God’s direction and being available to bless others.

Whether she is spending time with her grandchildren, supporting her family, working diligently, or pouring into her community, Fidelia’s life reflects intentional love, quiet strength, and steadfast faith.

Her journey is a testament to enduring commitment, generational impact, and a heart fully open to God and people alike. 

Tell us about your family, and the secret to a 41-year marriage.

I’ll say this right up front — the “secret” to a long-lasting marriage isn’t some magical formula. It’s honoring the covenant you made before God and a whole bunch of witnesses when you boldly declared, “Till death do us part.” That line sounds very romantic on the wedding day… and very serious when you’re arguing about who left the wet towel on the bed.  But when God is invited into that covenant — when He becomes the center instead of the referee — something beautiful happens.  Funny how the same words that made everyone tear up on your wedding day are the very words that carry you through the hard ones. 

Till death do us part – not magical, but faithfulness.

Was our marriage ever on the rocks? If I said no, I would be lying — and I’m too old to start now. Marriage is work. Every stage comes with a new twist, like a never-ending series you didn’t know you signed up for. The best way I can describe it –
Marriage is not a bed of roses. It definitely has thorns.

The real question is this: when you get pricked, do you throw in the towel — or do you gently pull one thorn out at a time? And let me tell you, the size and sharpness of those thorns vary!

In the early years, the thorn was simply two imperfect human beings under one roof. Two personalities. Two upbringings. Two opinions. One bathroom. That alone can test your sanctification. We wrestled through it and slowly learned flexibility (and sometimes strategic silence ha..ha..ha).

Then came children… and finances. We couldn’t afford childcare, so I stayed home with my toddlers while he worked long hours delivering pizzas. Yes — delivering pizzas. He was highly educated but couldn’t find a job in his field. So, we did what we had to do. We lived on base pay plus tips. There were days when we didn’t know how we would buy diapers. Romance? It looked more like clipping coupons and stretching leftovers.

But we learned to pull those thorns gently — by being frugal, by praying, and by reminding ourselves that struggle is a season, not a sentence.

Next thorn: disciplining the children. I was rigid. My husband was… let’s just say, “grace-filled.” We did not always see eye to eye. I believed in structure. He believed in mercy. That difference became a thorn more than once. But again, we learned. We adjusted. We pulled the thorn instead of pulling apart.

You get the idea. Every stage brought a new thorn — some tiny splinters, others more like cactus spikes. But over time, we learned not to sweat the small stuff. We matured. We became more forgiving, more flexible, more aware that being right is not as important as being united.

If you ask our children, they’ll tell you ours has never been a perfect marriage. They witnessed the arguments. They felt the tension. They saw the struggles. But they also saw commitment. They saw two people who chose not to quit.

At every stage of our lives as parents, we truly did the best we knew how to do. We didn’t have a perfect blueprint—just a deep love for our children and a desire to raise them faithfully before the Lord. Our days were shaped around them… their needs, their laughter, their tears, their growth. Loving them and providing for them wasn’t just a responsibility—it was our calling and our joy.

Today, when I look at our family, my heart overflows with gratitude. We are blessed with two sons—both now married—and through them, four precious grandchildren who have added a whole new layer of sweetness to our lives.  Each of them holds a unique piece of our hearts.  We also have an unmarried daughter 

It hasn’t been flawless. There were missteps, prayers whispered through tears, lessons learned the hard way, and seasons that stretched our faith. But through it all, we kept walking—sometimes confidently, sometimes trembling—but always choosing faithfulness over perfection.

And that steady, faithful walk has made all the difference.

Looking back, I don’t see a perfect journey. I see grace. I see growth. I see a God who carried us when we didn’t know what to do next. And that, more than anything, is what makes my heart full.

And here’s the funny part — ours was not a love marriage. It was an arranged marriage.

Whenever I say that, people’s eyes widen as if I just revealed some ancient secret. There’s this very fixed idea about arranged marriages — dramatic music playing in the background, two strangers meeting on their wedding day, no say in the matter. But that’s not really how it works today.

Unlike ancient times, modern arranged marriages are simply families looking out for a good match. They consider factors such as family background, education, health, values, and whether the two individuals can build and support a life together. It’s less about control and more about care.

Usually, it begins very simply — two families meeting over a cup of tea. Introductions are made. Conversations happen. Smiles are exchanged. And then? The two people involved actually get time to talk, to get to know each other, and, most importantly, to decide for themselves.

Contrary to popular belief, no one is forced to walk down the aisle just because they were introduced. There’s space. There’s a choice. There’s discernment.

And sometimes, there’s even a little spark. 😊

What began as “arranged” slowly became something deeply chosen — and beautifully loved.

Our families were good friends. When we first met, it was not exactly fireworks. I thought he was too old. He thought I was a typical city snob. Not exactly a fairy-tale beginning.  Then we met at his niece’s wedding. I was the maid of honor. He was the best man. At the reception, he sat at my table. Somewhere between polite conversation and awkward small talk, he told me he had $400 in the bank.

Now listen — he had come from the U.S. He was an eligible bachelor. He could have impressed me with any grand number, and I would have believed him. But instead, he gave me the honest number. Four hundred dollars. Not four thousand. Not forty thousand. Four hundred.

And strangely enough, that honesty — that integrity — was what impressed me. That thought definitely came from God. It was his integrity that made me say “yes.”

Side note: I didn’t know then that the man with $400 in the bank would become my partner in pulling thorns for the next four decades.

And here we are — still imperfect, still learning, still honoring the covenant.

Because at the end of the day, a long-lasting marriage isn’t about avoiding thorns.
It’s about deciding — over and over again — to stay and gently pull them out together.

You are a woman of strong conviction. What is your priority in life?

My priority has always been to honor God in all that I do. I was raised in a Christ-centered home where church wasn’t optional — it was expected. I can literally count on my fingers the number of times I missed church growing up. If I wasn’t dying, I was going. No negotiations.

Now, I’ll be honest — as a child, my Sunday attendance wasn’t always from the heart. Sometimes it was simply obedience. But that steady, consistent intentionality planted something deep in me. It grounded me. And today, I don’t go to church out of obligation — I go willingly. I go because I want to be there. I want to worship. I want to serve. I want to be in the company of other believers. What once felt like routine has become a relationship.

One beautiful practice we had growing up — and one my husband and I have carried into our marriage — is coming together at the end of the day for Scripture and prayer. In those early years, it was the Bible; now added one more component –  my devotional 😊. Our prayers stretch wide — for our children and grandchildren, for the sick, for extended family, for our church family, and whatever burden the day has placed on our hearts.

Before we leave the house each morning, we pause and pray before stepping out. These are simple disciplines, but we are intentional about keeping them. They anchor us.

And this is in addition to our personal time with God — what I lovingly call my “Coffee and God” time: just me, my cup of coffee, and the Lord. No rush. No performance. Just presence.

Those steady rhythms — church, Scripture, prayer, quiet moments — have shaped my faith far more than any grand spiritual moment ever could.

Your book, “Broken Hearts Held by God” was born out of your own journey with pain and healing. Share your experience. 

The way this book evolved was truly a step of faith—bringing my inadequacies to the forefront and choosing simple obedience. During my quiet time, whenever something inspired me, I would jot it down in my digital journal, “Keep Notes,” and go on with my day. Then one day, I decided to forward my thoughts in a devotional format to a close circle of friends. Their feedback encouraged me to continue sharing my writing. Soon, a gentle rumbling began within the circle—“Why don’t you compile it into a book?”

After much hesitation, fully aware that I was not a born writer, I decided to take that step of obedience, carrying my bag of inadequacies with me. As the scripture says, “God equips the called; He does not call the equipped.” That is how this journey began.

The past two years have brought many changes to our home. A healthy and fit husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, followed by a heart attack. The loss of dear friends, broken homes, broken relationships, and other painful experiences all contributed to my writing. It was amazing how God spoke to me through everyday situations.

For example, one day while cleaning the kitchen counter, I accidentally knocked a dessert glass plate off the counter. It went flying to the floor, and all that remained were shattered pieces. From that simple moment, God gave me a devotional about broken relationships.

Another instance was when my niece was struck by a fast-moving train. From that heartbreaking situation came this devotional, one of many that you will find in my book.

Broken Pieces (Page 138 of the devotional)

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
— Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

Broken dreams. Shattered relationships. Unanswered prayers. Life has a way of scattering pieces in every direction, leaving us numb, discouraged, and wondering if things can ever be whole again. But brokenness is not the end of the story—not with God.

When my niece was involved in a devastating train accident, doctors worked skillfully to piece together her crushed bones and reconstruct her arm. It took time, precision, and care—but healing came. And if a human surgeon can do that with physical bones, imagine what the Great Physician can do with a broken heart.

Maybe you’re holding shattered pieces today—trust, hope, confidence, dreams. Don’t hide them. Bring them to the One who specializes in restoration. He doesn’t just patch things up; He makes all things new. What the world discards, God redeems. What feels beyond repair is never beyond His reach.

Have you ever felt crushed in spirit? 

Every one of us has felt that crushing of the spirit at some point. It doesn’t skip anyone. It doesn’t ask about age, maturity, or how strong we appear on the outside.  Even a child, at his or her level, knows exactly what it feels like.  A child may hear the words, “I don’t want to play with you anymore.” To us as adults, it may sound small. We may quickly say, “Oh, that’s nothing. Just move on.” But to that little heart, it feels like the world just fell apart.  In that moment, their tiny chest tightens. Their eyes well up. They don’t have the vocabulary to explain rejection, but they feel it deeply. The playground suddenly feels lonelier. The laughter sounds farther away.

The crushing of the spirit looks different in every season of life. The weight may change, but the pain is real.

When I heard the diagnosis that my husband had Stage 4 cancer, I became numb. The room felt still. I shed a few quiet tears, but shock has a way of silencing you before grief even has time to speak. The pity party had to end quickly because survival mode kicked in. I shifted into “what next?” mode. Was it easy? Not at all. It was completely beyond my control — and that was the hardest part.

Control is something we think we have, until life proves otherwise.

When I finally released his sickness into the hands of my Lord — truly released it — I felt something shift inside me. It wasn’t that the diagnosis disappeared. It wasn’t that fear never knocked again. But there was a quiet relief. A settling. A peace that did not make sense.

As I mature, I am realizing more and more that I do not control what has happened, nor do I control what lies ahead. I can plan. I can prepare. But ultimately, I must trust my God to lead me through it — not necessarily to pull me out of it, but to walk with me in it.

Your adult children may speak words in anger that pierce your heart — and that can crush your spirit.  You carried them. You prayed over them. You stayed up at night when they were sick. You gave it all. And yet one sentence, spoken in frustration, can echo louder than all the years of love you poured in.

Your job may unexpectedly tell you that you are no longer needed — and that can crush your spirit. After the early mornings, the faithful showing up, the loyalty, the quiet sacrifices — suddenly a door closes, and you’re left wondering if you still matter.

Your doctor reads a shocking medical diagnosis — and that can crush your spirit.
In one appointment, life can feel divided into “before” and “after.” The room feels smaller. The air feels heavier. Your heart whispers, Lord, what now?

A relationship you invested in may fall apart without warning — and that can crush your spirit.  You gave your time. Your trust. Your prayers. And when it unravels, it doesn’t just break plans — it breaks something inside.

Crushing often comes suddenly. You are not prepared for the blow. You are caught off guard. And that is part of why it hurts so deeply.

You may be hurting so much right now that words escape you. The tears may be falling faster than you can wipe them away. Your chest may feel heavy. Your prayers may feel like whispers.

My advice, spoken from a heart that has known that crushing, is this: give it to the Lord.  Not partially. Completely. He has full control over your life. He sees what you cannot see. He understands what you cannot explain. Trust Him to carry what you cannot.

The key is full surrender — not partial surrender.

 Did you feel while writing your book it was therapeutic?

Writing this devotional, “Broken Hearts Held by God,” has been deeply therapeutic for me. Instead of sitting in my hurt and allowing the pain to consume me, this process of writing has helped me see God’s hand even in the hardest moments. What could have been seasons of quiet despair became pages of reflection, healing, and hope.

Somehow, the book put a redemptive lens over my pain. It did not erase the hurt, but it helped me frame it differently — not as something wasted, but as something God could use. And to my surprise, so many have been blessed through it. I have received countless texts from readers sharing how certain pages spoke directly into their situations, how a devotional met them exactly where they were. That has humbled me beyond words.

This book is different because it is not built on grand theological debates or lofty ideas. It is filled with everyday moments — the kinds of situations that quietly unfold in kitchens, hospital rooms, family conversations, and unexpected phone calls. It reflects the ordinary events that shape our lives — the broken plates, the crushing diagnoses, the careless words, the silent tears.

It is real life. And it is in real life that God meets us most tenderly.

Give us a few gentle reminders found in your book.

1. Broken does not mean abandoned.
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted…” (Psalm 34:18)
When your heart feels shattered, you are not pushed away — you are actually closer to His heart.

2. God wastes nothing.
The pain, the diagnosis, the loss, the shattered plate on the kitchen floor — none of it is meaningless. He can turn even the most ordinary or painful moment into a testimony.

3. You are not in control — and that’s okay.
Relief comes when we stop trying to manage everything and place it fully in His hands. Not partial surrender. Full surrender.

4. Crushing seasons are not final chapters.
What feels like the end may simply be the middle of a story God is still writing.

5. Healing often comes through surrender, not striving.
Peace doesn’t always come when the situation changes. Sometimes it comes when our posture changes.

6. You are not alone in your pain.
Whether it’s broken relationships, hurtful words, loss, or unexpected news — He walks with you through it.

7. God restores what feels beyond repair.
The Great Physician specializes in broken pieces. What the world discards, He redeems.

Why is “Broken Hearts Held by God” a perfect gift for a loved one? 

This book breathes hope. It whispers to the weary heart that no matter what storm you are walking through, no matter how hard the fall feels, your heart will ultimately land in the strong and tender palms of God. And in His hands, even broken pieces find a soft landing.

What is your prayer for the readers of your book?

May these pages be a gentle reminder that you are never alone in your journey. Whatever you are carrying today — grief, fear, disappointment, or unanswered questions — place it into the faithful hands of God. As you walk through this book, may the Holy Spirit meet you in quiet and unexpected ways, bringing healing where there is brokenness, strength where there is weakness, and comfort where your heart feels weary. May you leave these pages knowing that even in your deepest pain, your heart is still held — safely and securely — by God.
You can reach me by email: brokenheartsheld@gmail.com

The devotional is now available. Secure your copy here: https://a.co/d/0aVjXvKn