Day 2373 of the 7 day Bible verse challenge.


John 11:35 NIV

Two words. Such a short statement that carries such a profound message. It can often feel like we're all alone in what we're going through or how we feel. Life can be a lonely and rather painful journey sometimes. And throughout all the things we experience we easily become disconnected or disheartened to life altogether. I think we can fall into this way of seeing God as some distant being that is simply watching everything unfold. We can start wondering if He does know how we're feeling. Does He really understand what we're going through or how it makes us feel?

Yes, He does! He's not only sees it but He understands it. He not only understands it but He's felt it. He has felt the pain caused by people turning away. He's felt the sting of pain caused by loss. He's experienced the harsh treatment that this world often dishes out on people. He has walked this earth and He has seen everything that it done down here. So yes, He understands that we feel pain. He understands that we feel scared. He understands that the things happening around us can have a massive impact on our lives. He understands how we're feeling no matter what we're feeling.

I think this is one of those truths that we always need to keep in mind. This world is a scary place that's full of pain, suffering, and more wickedness than there should ever be. As we've talked about a little bit recently, we see some new problem unfold every single day. We see more hurting, more hatred, more uncertainty every day. And as much as we can try to ignore it or pretend that it's not all that bad, the ways of this world will have an impact on us. There's no avoiding the emotions or thoughts that come with watching a world slip further into depravity and sin. It's a sad and unsettling thing to witness.

The fact is that we're all travelling through a place that is bent on running away from God while we're trying to move closer to Him. That's bound to cause some friction. That's bound to bring some doubt or discomfort. We're starting to see some of the persecution that we've been told is coming. And we've also been told that it's going to get worse. That is a scary realization. Knowing that everything the Bible talks about is coming one day, and that it's not going to be all fun and games. There's no avoiding it or the emotions that it will bring.

That's why we need to remember this verse. He understands. He knows that our lives here won't be a smooth ride. He knows that we're going to feel friction as we leave the ways of this world behind and strive to do something better. He knows that this world isn't going to think very highly of us for choosing to follow Christ rather than the sinful purposes that so many have chosen. And best of all, He's ready to help. He's ready to provide the peace that feels hard to find. He's ready to give us the courage to keep going when it would be easier to roll over and give in. He's ready to offer the strength to keep fighting even when it feels impossible to do so.

Friends, He gets it! He sees everything that we see. He knows that this world is going down hard and He understands that it's not going to be comfortable for anyone who refuses to go along with that downfall. So we're never alone in how we feel. We're never left to find our own way or deal with everything by ourselves. He is with us. He understands what we're thinking, how we're feeling, and what we'll need to keep following Him through the chaos. He has been there. He has walked that road Himself. He has seen what we see, felt what we feel, and experienced what we've been through. So there is absolutely nothing that He can't help us with!

In truth, He cares more than we could possibly imagine. There's this calming peace in this verse that seriously hits home. His love and compassion are greater than we can fathom! Never doubt that He is with us. He isn't some distant God who's just watching life unfold. He is still in control, still working everything to fulfill His promises, and maybe most importantly, HE IS STILL GOOD!

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