Do You Know How I Feel?

Suffering is defined as “the bearing of pain or distress.” We sometimes suffer from conflict in our lives. Pain and distress create tattered threads which unravel our blanket of wholeness, and rob us of discovering the the warmth of our content. We long to rid ourselves of the heavy loads we carry, but often we don’t know how…

At one time or another, we will suffer. In moments of despair, we will cry to the One who will remind us we are not alone. God knows the heart of our weariness. He gently uses situations to lift us from our weakness and help us recognize the wholeness of His grace.

We often forget God sent His Son to the world, knowing He would die a horrible death. Jesus suffered more pain than we will ever experience, and He felt many forms of suffering. Christ knew He would die. He felt emotional pain as He prayed to His Father, laid on the ground, and asked for the cup to pass Him. But, Jesus faithfully accepted His fate.

Jesus experienced physical pain. He was beaten, mocked and forced to wear a crown of thorns on His head. Video clips portray this event, and we turn our eyes away… We see images of Christ, suffering in a way that makes us feel guilty, unworthy of His lovingly sacrifice and grace. But, God never turns His eyes away from us.

God knows our sufferings. He wants us to recognize we are being held in His loving presence of strength. He covers us in the warmth of His well being, and lovingly takes our pain. God weaves new life through His blanket of hope, and whispers to our weary hearts of wonder… “You are my child, and “I know how you feel.”

May God bless you during this Easter season. He is near and He loves you.

Nan