Does God Truly Understand My Pain?

    

     As we navigate this world it does not take long before you realize that the world is teeming with hurting people. Look around, and you’ll find individuals silently battling unseen struggles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted this stark reality in a 2010 report, noting that deaths by suicide surpassed those from car accidents. The numbers have only risen, especially in the wake of global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. As sad as these statistics is, I believe it highlights a sobering truth: many are enduring profound difficulties in their lives.

    Sometimes, we fail to recognize the depth of pain hidden behind a smile. When we face arduous times, it's common to feel utterly alone, as if no one else has ever experienced such a unique struggle. This is due in part to the mask that we all wear. Very few people are willing to open up to express the struggles and the pain that they are going through. Instead we put on a brave face. We smile and say everything is going good. We make post's about how great our life is and how we have it all together. This can lead to us thinking "Wow, I am the only one struggling with this". All this can make us feel as if we are standing all alone on a tiny island in the midst of a storm. The truth, however, is that no matter what hardship you're facing, someone else has walked a very similar path. As the Bible reminds us, there is "nothing new under the sun"—and that includes your problems.

    This is why one of the most beneficial things you can do is to share your pain and struggles with someone you trust. You might discover that they offer not only encouraging words but also invaluable advice in your time of need.

    Furthermore I think it is high time we normalize not being normal. To be real and authentic with the world around us. I am not saying dwell on our problems to the point that its all we talk about. Instead let people in on the truth that we don't have it together. We struggle and have some difficulties. Let people see, at least a little bit that your human and you don't have it all together a 100% of the time. This not only allows you to be freed from your self imposed prison. It also offers others a little bit of a light for others who might think "Man I am the only one dealing with this" 

    However, while those around you may be unaware of your hidden battles, I hope you know that God is intimately acquainted with every struggle you face. Psalm 56:8 (ESV) beautifully articulates this: "You have kept count of my wanderings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?" Your pain, your hurt, your problems, your trials—none are overlooked by God; He knows them all. He sees the stress your under that no one seems to understand. He sees the battles you face and the hardships you are enduring. He see the tears that you cry when no one is watching. He sees the sadness and despair you have behind your smile. 

   If that was not enough, God doesn't just know your pain; He understands it deeply. He has suffered in every conceivable way. As odd as it sounds, He has walked similar roads you are on. He knows what it is to be hated, misunderstood, betrayed, abused, and to experience death itself. There is not an experience that we have that Jesus has not experienced.  

    Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV) offers profound comfort: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." This passage reveals not only God's capacity to sympathize with our weaknesses but also that He is the very answer to the hurt and pain we face today. He invites us to confidently approach His throne, where we will find mercy and grace precisely when we need it most. As Psalm 147:3 (ESV) affirms, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." And 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) encourages us: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."

    I believe that reaching out to others when you are going through a difficult situation in life. However, I believe it is also in these moments that you need to draw close to God. In fact I believe and know from my own various trials in life that God can help you like no one else can. He knows what you're going through, He has experienced the same emotions you have, and He is uniquely able to offer the help, comfort and wisdom that you need. The advice of others is not always best, but the advice and instruction of God will never lead you astray. There are times that the comfort of others is little comfort at all, but the comfort that God can provide is invaluable. 

    For those who are carrying heavy burdens, or who feel lost and uncertain about where to turn, remember the core message of the Gospel: God, in His infinite love, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to bridge the chasm created by our sin. Jesus bore our hurts and our failures on the cross, offering a path to forgiveness, healing, and eternal life. If you have never placed your faith in Him, or if you feel distant from Him, know that His arms are always open. He longs for you to come to Him with all your pain and brokenness.

You don't have to navigate your struggles in isolation, and you don't have to carry them alone.

Practical Applications for Your Journey:

1. Share Your Burden: Don't suffer in silence. While others may not instantly grasp your pain, sharing your struggles with a trusted friend, family member, or a supportive community can provide invaluable comfort and perspective. You might be surprised to find someone who deeply empathizes because they've walked a similar path.

2. Cast Your Anxieties on God: Actively practice casting "all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7 ESV). God isn't distant or uncaring; He keeps track of your sorrows and collects your tears. Bring every worry, every hurt, and every fear to Him in prayer.

3. Draw Near to the Throne of Grace: When you feel overwhelmed, remember the invitation in Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need". God's grace is sufficient for every moment of weakness and every struggle. He understands because Jesus Himself experienced temptation and suffering.

4. Embrace God's Healing: Believe that God "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3 ESV). This isn't just about emotional healing, but spiritual healing. For those who do not yet know Jesus, consider that His ultimate act of love—His death and resurrection—offers the deepest healing for your soul, reconciling you to God and giving you an eternal hope that transcends any earthly pain. Seek Him, and allow Him to mend what is broken within you.
   
   

So does God truly understand your pain? Yes and He is the help you so desperately need! So Go to Him and share your struggles and pain and find the help and comfort only God can provide.