"Acquainted"

"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18

When you are going through a difficulty, how many people say they sympathize with you as if they have been through the same thing themselves but never have? How many people say that they understand but they really don't. Often people want to help you and comfort you but unless they have actually been where you are, all they can do is have compassion for you, try to encourage you and pray, but they are "standing on the outside looking in". They don't know what it actually feels like. They haven't walked that way before, they haven't gone through the same ordeal, they don't understand what you are going through.

While people often try to help us when we are going through something, sometimes they fall short because they haven't gone through it themselves so they really can't relate. But I want to remind you this morning that whatever you are going through, whatever temptation you are facing, whatever trial you are in, there is one who does understand, there is one who can truly sympathize, there is one who has walked that same path and He has the power to help you. His name is Jesus.

He was tempted in every area we are tempted in. He faced the same trials we face. He knows what it is like to feel sadness, rejection, ridicule, separation, be forsaken, have demands placed on you... He faced it all. He faced it all when He walked among us as a man. He went through all that we go through and He overcame it.

So whatever it is that you are going through, Jesus has "been there and done that". He knows how you feel. He knows what you are going through. But He also knows how to rise above it, how to handle it, how to be victorious in it. Because He knows and because He has walked through it, He has the power as you look to Him to help you overcome it as well.

Have a great day. Some may sympathize with you, others may try to comfort you, but Jesus knows exactly what you are going through and has the power to help you make it through it.

For further reading:
Hebrews 4:15
John 16:33
Isaiah 53:3,4