One thing I’ve learned from Facebook, is that all of us are going through a lot of similar things. When one mom complains of her child not napping, 5 more moms are there to say, “Mine too!” When someone mentions her frustration with all the laundry piling up, we all do a cyber nod in agreement. And when another complains of headaches, someone is there to say “I’ve been there and here’s what helped me.”
We all have common struggles with husbands, children, our work and stress load and just living life on planet earth.
But…
Our puzzles are all different.
One woman has a child with special needs while another is raising a gifted child.
One woman has a romantic, sensitive husband while another has a husband who has anger issues and he screams and yells at everyone in the house.
One woman struggles to make ends meet while another is going on her third vacation of the year.
One woman has a husband who doesn’t work while another is married to a workaholic.
One woman has a traveling husband who calls everyday while another woman has a husband who is off the grid for military reasons for weeks on end.
One woman is running a marathon while another suffers from a debilitating disease.
Our puzzles are different.
And here’s the key…don’t think for one moment that the woman with the Prada purse on her shoulder – who is on her third vacation this year has less problems than anyone else. Her purse still holds junk–secret pain and dissatisfaction.
We’ve seen it on television –famous music, television and movie stars commit suicide. Why? They have it ALL! Because life is hard and we all have struggles that beat us down and fame, fortune, power, and even health and wealth can’t fill that empty void that God has placed inside of us that only he can fill.
All of our lives are riddled with trials, hardships and circumstances that truly no one else can understand. I’ve even contemplated that my husband, who shares the same house, kids, marriage and trials as me, does not really understand — because he’s not married to himself! lol! He’s married to me…and that makes his puzzle different.
But Jesus…He sees and He knows.
Jesus understands.
He can sympathize with our struggles because He was born to die for us. It is hard for me to imagine the struggles Jesus faced…because when I’m tempted, often times I just give in. For example, when my kids drive me nuts –I yell. Then I apologize.
Jesus felt temptation to the fullest degree because He did not give in. He suffered deeply –for us. We serve a God who understands.
Hebrews 4:15 says “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.”
Our God is not a distant God –He came near by dying on the cross for our sins and after he rose from the dead –before he ascended into heaven, his last words were that he would send the Holy Spirit –the ultimate comforter to be with his children.
You do not walk this road alone. You are a child of the King! He is with you every step of the way.
Somedays it may feel like no one understands…until you hop onto facebook or a blog with a writer you relate to. Often times I breathe a sigh of relief to find that my marriage is normal or my kids are normal! My Christian sisters have helped me through some of my greatest common struggles…but it’s through my deep study of God’s word and through prayer that I’ve found comfort in my individual struggles.
And so I urge you, during this season leading up to Good Friday and the Celebration of Easter Sunday, to draw near to God in his word and prayer. Open to the gospels, breathe in his love and truth and exhale all your burdens.
Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
He already knows your burdens. You need rest…you might as well set down that burden and talk to Him about it. I can guarantee you –He FULLY understands.
Walk with the King,
