Do you ever feel like no one understands what you are going through? I do! Like your friends or even your family just don’t get it? Me, again!
The other morning heading to work I was feeling a little weary, a little hurt, a little angry a little a lot of things, I guess. I was thinking about someone who I am frustrated with. I guess I felt let down by this individual and I felt justified in my feelings. The fact that this individual had not met what I feel are reasonable expectations left me feeling, hurt and a bit rejected during an already difficult period. I was struggling in that moment to let it go, to forgive, especially absent an apology or acknowledgment of any wrong doing, which I wasn’t holding my breath for.
When I am feeling this way, whatever the circumstances may be, it is my desire to be understood, for my feelings to be heard, for someone to get it! You know, acknowledge the issue and the fact that my feelings are understandable?! However, as with many things in life, I often don’t get my way. Sometimes, the situation isn’t appropriate to share with another so that I can feel validated. Sometimes, the other person because of their own issues isn’t willing or capable to have the conversation that needs to be had. Sometimes, we don’t get what we want.
In that moment, driving down I-5, feeling un-understood, my mind focused on someone who does understand me and I was reminded of this truth, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” – Hebrews 4:15.
When you don’t get the apology you deserve. When you need help and no one is around. When you feel alone. When there is conflict. When people have more important priorities. When no one wants to listen. When people say false things about you. When people hurt you. When a friend turns their back on you. When you struggle. When life is hard. When you are in pain. When you are overwhelmed. When you have been let down. When you don’t seem to fit in. When you are tempted. When you are tired. When no one else gets it. God gets it! He knows how it feels, He felt it.
He gets it and you know what His response was and is? To love anyway. To humble himself anyway. To forgive anyway. To lay down His life anyway.
His example challenges me. I am so far most days from responding the way He does. It is my desire to grow in the grace He lavishes on me. I want grace, but how freely am I giving it away to others?
His example convicts me. How can I withhold from others, what I so desperately need from Him?
His example comforts me. It is certainly a wonderful feeling to be understood by our friends and family and I am thankful when that is a reality. But when it’s not, I serve a God who understands me. He understands my ways, my feelings and He loves me as I am.
So thankful for a God, who gets it! He gets you too!
