Welcome back to “Friday Feature!” Grab a cup of coffee, relax, and enjoy today’s devotion! If you missed last week’s devotion, you can read it here!
I have truly loved getting different guest authors to share their thoughts on the blog over the last few weeks – it has truly encouraged me more than words can say! However, I’m switching things up a bit for this week, and I will be sharing today’s devotion. I have felt this on my heart, and wanted to share it with you all. I hope you will be encouraged today!
He Knows How It Is
The sunrise every morning reminds me just how good God is. His mercies are new every morning, (Lamentations 3:22-23) – and He knows exactly where you and I are on this roller coaster of a ride that we call life.
Throughout our Christian journey, each of us at some point and time has experienced a difficult situation – depression, discouragement, sickness, loss of a loved one, betrayal, marital or financial hardship, etc. These types of circumstances often leave us feeling emotionally and spiritually drained, desperate and helpless, lonely, and perhaps even with the thoughts that no one cares or understands.
And yet, in the midst of the intense struggle that is going on within us – whether physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental – we oftentimes tend to “plaster” a smile on the outside for those around us to see. We pretend like everything’s all right, when underneath the surface, our hearts are breaking and crying out in desperation to God for strength and comfort to go on, for understanding regarding unanswered questions, for some place of refuge from the storm that is hidden way down deep beneath the smile, and beneath “Everything’s ok…”
Jesus was a man subject to like passions as we are. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Did you know that Jesus experienced emotions just like you and I do? Throughout the Bible, we read that Jesus was angry (Mark 3:4-5), was saddened because of grief, (John 11:32-35), and jealous (Deuteronomy 32:16). When He was hanging on the cross, He even asked God “Why?” (Matthew 27:46)
Jesus relates to how we feel. When our prayers consist of nothing more than “Lord, I just don’t understand.” “Why is this happening?” or “God, I just feel really alone…” – Jesus understands! Many times our prayers even consists of no words at all. Circumstances that are beyond our control can leave you & I without even knowing the words to say. You don’t have to say anything more. He understands completely…He knows how it is!
We’ve often heard the phrase, “You don’t know how it is, because you haven’t been there.” And, most of the time, unless a person has been in your shoes, they really do not understand how you’re feeling. But the good news is, Jesus does.
The Bible tells us that even a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice. (Matthew 10: 29-31) How much more then does He care for you and me? When we’re hurting inside – when we’re frustrated and angry – when our hearts are broken – when there is no understanding and all we can say is “Why?” Jesus understands and cares more deeply about us and the things that are going on in our lives…more than we’ll ever know. Simply because, He’s been there too.
No matter where you are, or where you’ve been, or what you may be going through at this very moment – Jesus knows. He understands how we feel better than anyone. He bore our everything on the cross – our every sin, sickness, grief…everything! Oh how He knows!!
Praying that you find comfort in knowing that Jesus is right there with you – and that He knows exactly where you are right now!
“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10
Laura
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