I understand.......but do I really?

Many times while facing crises in our lives, people often say, "I understand." They are well meaning and often do feel terrible for what we are facing, but the truth of it is that unless you have been through what I have been through, you don't really understand.

There is the mother who has lost a child and people say, "I understand."
There is period of time when you are in a depressed state and when you try to explain to others, they say, "I understand."

I was one of those people that would say 'I understand' when someone was going through a rough period. I felt bad for what was happening and needed to offer some kind of encouragement, so, "I understand" seemed to be the most appropriate thing to say.

These were the kind of thoughts that flooded my mind early this morning. Do I really understand even when I do say I understand?

Hebrews 2:18 tells me, "because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, HE is able to help those who are being tempted."

That is a God who understands. He Himself has faced what we are facing now, temptations, tests, trials, you name it and He knows what it is like. He has faced loneliness, He has faced ridicule, He has faced insults, He has faced desertion, His own Father turned His back on Him when the sins of the whole world rested on Him. He is a God who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities.

What qualifies me to say 'I understand ?' Have I ever lost a child ? No. Have I ever been diagnosed with depression, apart from a few depressing days sometimes ?' No.

What qualifies me?

The word says Jesus shared in our humanity. Read Hebrews 2 and note what it says, Surely it is not the angels He helps, but Abraham descendants. For this reason He had to be made like His brothers and sisters in every way that HE might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God.

He qualifies in every way. He understands the highs and the lows. He can be trusted with our cares and our worries.

When you experience death, He understands.
When you experience sickness, He understands.
When you experience betrayal, He understands.
When you experience a broken heart, He understands.

Whatever your experience today, He understands.

I needed to read Hebrews 2 today to remember that it's not just lip service, God does understand. He understands my frustrations sometimes as a wife and mother. He understands my frustrations sometimes as a caregiver. He understands my frustrations sometimes as a sister and a daughter. He understands my frustrations sometimes as believer in my house of worship.
He understands my frustrations and struggles sometimes with this writing process.

I am guilty for sometimes carrying around my frustrations and then letting them weigh me down. Lord thank You for that reminder that you care and you truly understand.


Blessings,
Vickie