“Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20). David was under extreme emotional stress. All the verses in Psalm 69 leading up to the verse above declare the pressures and emotions that David felt. He felt all alone. He had looked for someone to help and support him, but found no one. Even his own people were against him. He then stated that this reproach had broken his heart and that he was full of heaviness.
While David was probably speaking of his emotional or spiritual heart, it is possible that he was also referring to his physical heart. There is a rare condition known as Takotsubo syndrome. This is a condition of the heart muscle caused by severe emotional stress. The majority of cases are in women, but it does occur in men. In Takotsubo syndrome, the lower left part of the heart becomes stunned. The tip of the left ventricle will balloon outwards instead of contracting properly. The upper part of the ventricle does not work well either. This causes the left ventricle to look like the octopus traps that the Japanese use. The word for that trap is “takotsubo.”
Takotsubo syndrome is not permanent. It can be deadly if not diagnosed. If treated properly (little medical intervention is needed other than to support the heart function), the heart has a complete recovery. This can take several weeks. There are rare times when a person can recover without any medical treatment.
David may have been so upset that he got Takotsubo syndrome of his physical heart. This would make him physically weak for several weeks. Once he got over the emotional stress, his heart would recover, and he would regain his strength. God allowed David to suffer but was always with him providentially.
It is certain that David’s spiritual and emotional heart was sick. His emotions were severely stressed and his only comfort came from God. It is difficult for a person to function properly spiritually when under such severe stress. However, as David realized, even when under such stress, one can always find help and comfort from God. He will help you get through any situation. He is the Great Physician. He will heal any spiritual ailment.
Study your Bible. Obey God, and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
