Empathy

Lesson One • Amen
Devotion 5: Empathy
Stephen Billings 

Can you think of a time when you have said or thought, “Am I the only one going through this struggle?” or “Am I the only one who is having a hard time in life?” 

I am willing to bet that each of us has said or thought both of these statements. It is natural to think this way, but both of these statements are lies. However, God has promised us that His Son, Jesus, can sympathize with us. Hebrews 4:15 shares, “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.”

God’s Word proclaims that we are not alone in our struggles. God is not only with us, and knows when times are getting hard, but is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Meaning, God comforts and cares for us as we go through the struggles of life because He knows exactly what it is like to have struggles in life.

As a young parent of two little boys, I find myself in situations where I just do not know what to do. An example is when my wife and I were potty training our two-year-old. As many of you have probably experienced, there are many ups and downs. There are times when you think that potty training will never end, and you just need someone to sympathize. Not only can friends and family care for us, but most importantly, God can and does as well. 

God can sympathize with us because He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to earth. While on earth, Jesus went through various trials, tribulations, and temptations. He set an example for us in how to deal with the struggles of life because He lived a perfect life. He never sinned, creating a way to take away all of our sins and past mistakes to be forgiven by dying on the cross and rising again. 

The next time you are going through a struggle and feel alone, know that our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we are going through. Go to Him and ask for encouragement and care. God will provide the care that we need because He loves us and knows exactly what we are going through.