Life is full. It’s full of happiness, laughter, and joy, but also pain, heartache, and loss. No human has ever been able to experience a life with only happy and enjoyable moments. Even Jesus who was both fully man and fully God went through times of ridicule and judgment.
One hardship we face in life is not having someone around us who can truly understand us and relate to everything that happens to us. In the same way, it can be difficult for us to understand when a friend is going through something tough.
We may have the best of intentions when it comes to helping others and those around us may have the best of intentions when trying to relate and help us through. Sympathy though isn’t the same as empathy. Having sympathy helps us to think or feel like someone else on an emotional level—to understand and help validate their feelings.
Having empathy means truly putting yourself in their shoes so that you know and feel the same things as they are. Both of these things can be hard to do. It is only through the love of Jesus living in and through you that you can make a difference in someone's life.
Jesus went before us and experienced all the earthly pain and happiness you will know in this life. Only He can relate fully to you on a close and personal level. God sent Him to go before you so He could understand you inside and out.
So when you just feel like no one is there for you or understands what you’re going through, turn to Jesus. He is our hope, faith, and best friend. He wants to be your go-to person in the joy and the pain of life.
What are you going through right now that may be tearing you apart? Spend time to pray and ask God to be with you and help you to endure.
