Struggle is simultaneous with human life. Human beings struggle in big ways and small ways. We can struggle physically, mentally, and emotionally. Do you feel like the struggles you experience are invisible? Maybe you wonder if anyone sees your struggle? Sometimes others see the symptoms of struggle, but misunderstand why or how you are struggling?
Jesus carried the weight of other’s misunderstandings for a lifetime.
When Jesus was twelve years old his parents lost him on the way home from Jerusalem. Three days later they found him conversing with religious teachers.“When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them” (Luke 2:48-50).
Who we are and who we are for impacts how and why we struggle.
Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus stands for God the father. His own parents understood his identity to an extent, but they didn’t understand exactly what this identity meant. People didn’t understand Jesus as a child or an adult. Jesus struggled to the point of death, and he struggled to be understood during his death (Matthew 4:3, Matthew 26:63, Matthew 27:40). People didn’t understand why Jesus was struggling. The soldiers thought If he was God he would remove himself from the cross. His disciples believed he was God, but they didn’t understand why he had to die (Luke 18:31-34).
The suffering of Christ could be seen, heard, smelt, and touched by others. The crowd could see his pain, hear his cries, smell his blood, and touch his bones, but only Jesus could taste his own suffering.
The father knew why he had to die, but he allowed the suffering to occur anyway (Psalm 22:1). “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death” (Psalm 22:14-15). Only Jesus could taste the pain of mockery, misunderstanding, and isolation. Others may have tasted tears in the back of their throat or felt agony collapse in their chests, but only Jesus could taste his own death. Maybe the water is pouring out of your eyes. Maybe your physical bones aren’t functioning as you’d like, or maybe your heart is melting like wax. Not understanding God’s plan in our suffering does not give us an excuse to leave him. Although, it’s normal to doubt during times of suffering.
Suffering won’t last forever, and Healing is possible, whether we receive it now or in eternity.
Mary and Joseph searched for Jesus for three days until they found him. Jesus suffered along two other men the night of his crucifixion, but on the third day he rose again. In the meantime, Christ empathizes with us in a larger capacity than any other human being can. Are you struggling to show case your true self? Is your struggle so raw that you feel like you are being crucified to a cross? Do you think, “no one understands, or I don’t deserve this pain. Suffering is hard, an it can be even harder to accept when people say, “This pain is a part of God’s plan for you.Whatever category of suffering you fall into know that the third day is coming. Resurrection is coming. Whether you wait three hours, three months, three years, or till eternity healing is on the horizon. Whether you are experiencing suffering, coming out of suffering, or witnessing another suffer this truth applies friend.
To learn about trusting God while watching other’s suffer read our next blog.
Never Give Up,
Sondra
Let us know what you think!
Such good points! Oftentimes, I feel as though my struggle is misunderstood and not seen, especially since it is a physical condition that shows no visible symptoms. Wow, how cool is it that Jesus can succor us and understand the feeling of being misunderstood amidst suffering?! Incredible. Love it, really makes me think:) Thanks for sharing!
Hi Josie, I can totally relate to your experience! While I don’t understand exactly what it’s like to be in your shoes, I am recovering from a physical struggle that is not always apparent from the outside! I’m so glad you were encouraged by this blog! If you’d like some practical resources to help combat struggle you can subscribe to our email list! You can subscribe to our email list by filing out the stay updated box at the bottom of our blog or home page!
This post really resonated with me, I feel as a new mom and after having c section(major surgery) done, that there are still a lot of times where there is no one I feel I can relate to or necessarily understands what is going on inside my mind and physically with my body still healing. At times, I feel I have a hard time understanding all of it myself. It sometimes makes it hard to see the positive and at times, very sadly to admit, I do feel a certain way towards God in regards to the pain, or things I am going through, although rationally i know he is the one I should be confiding in and is a great source of strength, healing, is the almighty father and has blessed me with my daughter.
Alexis, I’m so glad you connected with this message! It’s okay to struggle! We all feel alone and misunderstood at times, but it is so comforting that God always get us! It’s also normal to feel frustrated, confused, or angry about the trials God allows in our lives. Remember that he wants these times to draw us closer to him, not farther away from him.