"I Understand"

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15

When we know someone who is going through a trying time, a time of hardship, grief or a trial, in trying to help comfort that person we often say to them, "I understand". When we say we understand, we can mean it in one of two ways. First, we understand what they are going through because we have been through it too. We are acquainted through personal experience with what they are going through. We have walked in those same shoes. When we say, "I understand", but don't have a clue what it "feels" like, what we really mean is that we understand why this trial is so difficult, why you are hurting, why you feel as if you can't go on.
For example, I don't "understand" through experience what it is like to lose a child. But I do "understand" why someone who has would be devastated. It would have to be one of the greatest hurts you could experience. I don't understand "what" they are feeling, but I "understand" why.

I said all this to say that even though we may not "understand" through experience or have first "hand knowledge" of what someone else is suffering, there is one who does. He understands on a personal level. He understands it all. There is nothing that we will face or go through that He doesn't understand. His name is Jesus. Jesus is touched by the feelings of your weaknesses in a deep and personal way because He has more than just a "head knowledge understanding" of the hurt, the pain or the sorrow that you are experiencing.

You may be going through a grievous time this morning. There may be those who are trying to comfort and encourage you. Some of them understand because they have gone through the same thing, some of them have a sympatric understanding only, but remember there is one who has both- the understanding of where you are because He has been there and the understanding compassion of why this is not an easy thing for you. Look to Him this morning and let Him comfort you because He understands it all.

Have a great day. When Jesus says He understands- He understands personally from experience and from a sympatric understanding.

For further reading:
Isaiah 53
Psalm 103:13,14