Have you ever walked through a situation so tough that at times you felt alone?
I have.
For me, it’s been a health issue. Those who know me well are aware I’ve struggled with stomach issues for most of my life, and frankly, it just makes some days suck.
It can be isolating because I feel like no one understands what I’m going through – even supportive friends and family. So it’s pretty comforting to know there is one who always understands – and that’s Jesus.
Even Jesus felt alone at times. That seems strange when you think about it, since He’s God and all, but He lived on the earth as one of us, so He has experienced our pain.
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” Isaiah 53:3
Difficult as those painful times can be, I’ve discovered that’s when I’m actually closest to God. If things were always easy, I wouldn’t need Him as much!
I think those hard times bring us closer to Jesus because by then we’ve probably exhausted every “worldly” avenue of fixing things, coming only to realize Jesus was the only one who could help us all along. It’s just, sometimes we have to hit our our most desperate point to finally figure that out.
I have found myself praying and pleading with God to take my pain away, just to heal me. And though that hasn’t necessarily happened, something else has: I’ve found him in the pain. He is with me. I’ve come to realize that He was all I ever really needed in the first place. Life will never be pain free, but Jesus will always be with us.
A great verse that illustrates this:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
God cares about your circumstances, your life, your pain, your heartache and your struggles. All you have to do is pray to Him. Just tell Him what’s on your mind. Ask Him to be with you and strengthen you through whatever you’re dealing with.
In 1 Peter 5:7, it even says:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Maybe for you the pain isn’t physical. But emotional wounds can cut through us just as deeply, if not more. Really, friends, Jesus cares about you and wants to meet you in your situation, wherever you may be.
Just call on His name and you’ll see. He is always with us.
Cait Harrison 
Reblogged this on Redbird's Roost.
Girl preach it!! I love everything you said… this hits home for me because God taught me this so clearly through some very hard times this past year… keep sharing His message! You are awesome! 🙂 Oh and your blog cite is so cute.. love it!
Thanks, Lele! I’m glad to hear you can relate. As bad as the hard times can be I really think God wants us to use them to encourage others through whatever they’re going through, and that’s certainly what I’m trying to do! I appreciate the comment 🙂
Reblogged this on The CMC Pulpit and commented:
A lovely insight to go with yesterday’s John 11 sermon
This post is very well done! Yes, it’s hard sometimes for us to realize that Jesus, while in the flesh on earth, had human emotions. He experienced sadness, anxiety, pity, happiness, love…
Certainly loneliness is one feeling He had on more than one occasion. But we have Him to cast our cares upon! He’s “been there,” just as we are…He created us…He knows all about us and can help.
Thanks for sharing,
Steve Pejay
Thank you, Steve. Loneliness not an easy place to be but God always brings us through. Thanks for reading!
It is one thing to be alone…it is quite another to be “lonely.” I think most all of us have experienced being the sadness and despair of loneliness.
It isn’t easy to deal with, but if we pray to the Lord, He will help us through. Find Godly people to associate with and you will not only have “company,” you’ll find a “family!”
Enjoy your day, Caitlin
Steve 🙂
Reblogged this on A Steward's Heart and commented:
I really related to Caitlin’s walk with pain, as some years ago I walked through a similar experience with Chrone’s disease. I’d seen many doctors, most of whom said it was all in my head. After switching to a new family doctor, he finally got to the bottom of it, and after about a year of treatment, I started feeling better.
But I too learned through continuous pain was that Jesus is always there, and that is enough. He taught me to stop praying for the answer I wanted, but just to seek him more, and be content that his grace would be enough for me. It was, and it still is! Thanks Caitlin for a great post!
Thanks for the comment, Sheila, and I’m glad you can relate! I feel exactly the same way – His grace is enough!
Thanks Caitlin for a great post! I reblogged this on A Steward’s Heart. I don’t know if you’ve had doctors tell you you’re crazy, like I did, but it did help a lot to know that Jesus knew, saw, and understood. And also a relief when they finally learned what was wrong!
Oops, sorry, I didn’t realize I had already sent the comment! But anyway, thanks for following us too. Glad we can share each other’s journeys!
Thank you! Actually the doctors still haven’t gotten to the bottom of what’s wrong with me. They usually try to diagnose me with something and it’s never the right thing. It’s a tough thing to walk through but it has made my relationship with Jesus that much stronger.
I’ll be praying for you that the doctors can get to the bottom of it. The not knowing can be the hardest part. But either way, I know he will be with you!
Thank you! I appreciate that 🙂