My Pain Is Understood

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Poverty. Disease. Injustice. Brokenness. Death. We live in a fallen world that includes immense pain.

We often ask God why there is so much pain. If you’re good, God, why won’t you stop the pain? We ask ourselves these questions and don’t often find the answers we're looking for.

The life of Jesus though… The life of Jesus can assure you and me that God knows our pain. He has felt our pain. And He understands our pain.

Think about everything He endured on this earth. Hurt from relationships. Torture. Mocking. Physical beatings. Death on a cross. He has felt our relational pain and he has felt physical pain.

The difference between us and Jesus is that Jesus suffered willingly. With his suffering came a promise to you and to me, a promise of compassion. God gave his son to die for us. Jesus endured that death.

While in the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26 tells us that Jesus felt unbearable stress. He says in verse 39, “‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as a I will, but as you will.” He understands deep pain.

God knows. He sees. He understands.

Will you let Jesus’ suffering on this earth help you to understand that you are truly not alone?

Today’s Challenge: Read Isaiah 53:3-5 to a friend or family member. Listen to the words as you read and then explain to your loved one why their pain is understood. Make the connection between our pain and Jesus’ pain.

Dear Lord, we thank You for knowing our pain. We thank You for the things You went through for each of us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.