God’s gift . . .

Jesus Understands

Jesus understands us . . . He came to earth so that He would know us, what we experience, our emotions, and how we encounter the world around us . . . He’s felt our temptations, pains, sadness, and afflictions . . . joys, laughter, peace, and love . . . He is the only One who truly understands . . . Jesus knows  . . . and He lived, suffered, and died for each one of us so we’d never have to be alone.

During difficult times, it can be hard to imagine that anyone understands our struggles . . . We can feel hopeless, isolated, and even forgotten by God . . . In times of sadness or uncertainty, sometimes it feels like nobody could possibly understand what we’re going through . . . But we are never completely alone . . . Jesus fully understands how we feel because He has felt it, too.

First, it’s okay to struggle—we’re all human . . . we all struggle at some point—or lots of times—in our lives . . . but we have a future, we have hope, because our Savior was willing to experience life on earth just for you and just for me.

Have you ever felt the exhaustion of work and toil? . . . Jesus understands that.

Have you ever felt that you were treated unfairly? . . . Jesus understands that.

Have you ever been betrayed or abandoned? . . . Jesus understands that.

Have you ever experienced physical pain? . . . Jesus understands that.

He understands it all at a deeper level than we will ever understand . . . Feel confident that when you turn to Him and look in His eyes, you will see that He gets you . . . And you can trust that He knows exactly what you need to keep moving forward each day.

What do you think about that—
have you ever even considered that Jesus personally understands everything you are going through?

He is the lifeline, our security, and our salvation that we can hold close to our hearts no matter what life throws at us.

INSIGHT . . .

When you’re going through a difficult time, nothing means more than having someone come alongside you, who understands what you’re going through . . . Jesus doesn’t ask us to do anything that He wasn’t willing to do Himself . . . and He promises to be with us in all we have to go through . . . Scripture reminds us over and over again that Jesus understands . . . especially when we are struggling.

Jesus knew temptation
“He was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:13).

Jesus knew poverty
“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests,
but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

Jesus knew frustration
“He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables . . .
‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!’”
(John 2:15-16).

Jesus knew weariness
“Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well” (John 4:6).

Jesus knew disappointment
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem . . . how often I have longed to gather your children together,
as a hen gathers her chicks . . . but you were not willing” (Luke 13:34).

Jesus knew rejection
“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him”
(John 6:66).

Jesus knew sorrow
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38).

Jesus knew ridicule
“Again and again, they struck him . . . and spit on him.
Falling on their knees, they paid [mocking] homage to him” (Mark 15:19).

Jesus knew loneliness
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

No matter what we’re going through, we have a Lord who is deeply familiar with all our habits, behaviors, circumstances, and needs . . . He doesn’t stand back, remaining distant from our pain . . . Instead, He wants to sit down with us, in the darkest parts of our lives, and be there with us—if we let Him . . . He wants to whisper comfort to your pain, give you guidance and hope, and fill you with strength to withstand whatever comes your way.

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”
Psalm 139:1-3

Jesus understands human suffering and pain because He experienced rejection, temptation, poverty, weariness, grief, and betrayal . . . He offers comfort, empathy, and rest for the weary, as He invites each of us to come to Him . . . He cares deeply about personal fears, desires, and burdens . . . Jesus understands and offers a safe harbor for your heart and soul.

“Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you.
Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.’”
Matthew 11:28-29

INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . .

We don’t have to be skittish with the Lord.
God doesn’t want us to be scared of approaching Him—for anything.
We are His children, He is our Father; He wants us to come to Him.
And we get to come to Him freely—without guilt!
—because of the perfect, finished work of Jesus Christ.
(Blake Long)

Jesus has been where we are . . . He has felt what we feel . . . Jesus empathizes with every temptation and struggle we face in this life . . . He has compassion for whatever we’re feeling and the situations we’re facing . . . He identifies and sympathizes with each of us throughout our lives.

There is no need to feel too embarrassed to go to the Savior . . . If anyone can understand what you are going through right now, it’s Jesus!

Jesus never fell into one of Satan’s traps, but He definitely faced the same frustrations we do in life . . . Jesus is on your side! . . . When we go to Him for help, we obtain mercy and find grace to help when we need them.

Is there something you have hesitated to talk to God about?

Do you hesitate because of shame or embarrassment? 
Remember God already knows everything about you—He is just waiting to talk with you—
He is waiting for you to talk with Him.

It’s okay to talk with God . . . that’s how we build relationships  . . . It is okay to express your thoughts, emotions, and questions while listening for His guidance . . . Prayer is a constant possibility . . . You can pray out loud or silently during any situation—happy, sad, or in need of help . . . Be honest and natural . . . take time to listen for a response.

We can pray for big things, small things, and everything in between.
It all matters to God, because we matter to God.
(Shae Hill)

God truly wants to hear from you . . . it doesn’t have to be with the “right” words  . . . don’t worry about how your prayers sound . . . Just bring your whole, honest heart to Him . . . He’s willing to listen.

There’s no better time to pray than right now . . .

             Is there something that feels heavy on your heart?

                                Is there something that came to mind, even though you didn’t expect it?

Talk to God about what you can’t or won’t talk to others about.

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
Ephesians 6:18a

God is not afraid of our honesty . . . in fact, He celebrates it, because remember, He already knows . . . He is just waiting to hear from you.

‍ILLUMINATION . . .

After over 4 years of living in Granbury, Texas, we just got my favorite set of windchimes hung up—and I spend hours contentedly listening to them . . .  Pause for a few moments and imagine the tinkling sound created by the wind in the chimes—wooden, metal, glass—blowing in the breeze . . . Windchimes are often used to symbolize God’s presence, representing what we can’t see, but expressing the comforting movement of the Holy Spirit  . . . Their sound serves as a reminder to be still and listen to God, embodying divine guidance, protection, and comfort during times of prayer, struggles, or joys. 

Imagine the sound of the wind blowing the leaves of a tree or the varying tones of the long tubes of wind chimes . . . The gentle breeze, or a windy day that initiates those sounds is a good reminder that the Holy Spirit is present in your life, carrying away the cobwebs and struggles, cleansing your mind, heart, and soul.

Reflect on the sounds in the wind, taking deep breaths in and long sighs out . . . take in those deep breaths and release each slowly . . . several times a day if you need to . . . consciously relax your body . . . breathe again and again until you begin to feel your shoulders relax.

As you listen to the wind, allow the Spirit to wash through your body and realize that God is with you . . . proof that you are not abandoned or by yourself . . . God is always present . . . He is in every step you take . . . He is in every breath that enters and exists your body . . .  Remember, He is always there, always.

Where is your heart right now?  . . . Where is your mind?
Are the two in harmony, or are you fighting with yourself over how you should feel?

Are you questioning how you actually feel about the relationship between you and God?

Let God take away your loneliness, let it go . . . Accept that Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is always your companion and confidant . . . It is never too late to strengthen your foundation of faith . . . There is always time . . . With faith in Christ, your Savior, you can have someone to talk with . . . There is someone who will look beyond your transgressions and forgive you . . . There is someone you can thank . . . There is someone you can serve and love and believe in . . . God is waiting for you, and He is not going to desert you ever.

“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
And be sure of this: ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
Matthew 28:20

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INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .

“The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7

I encourage you to take time to listen to any or all the songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.

♪♬♪ Current . . .  These Days

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdgXMFrtduA&list=RDSdgXMFrtduA&start_radio=1
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♪♬♪ Traditional . . . Jesus Understands!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2meWe68rLL0

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INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .

Whatever you’re feeling today, know that God fully understands, and is near . . . He sees you, supports you, and loves you no matter what.

Jesus is both God and human, so we can trust that He fully understands us  . . . God works through relationships . . . He encourages us to “do” life together, supporting each other, so that when we are down, we can help lift each other up  . . . Isolating ourselves, which we tend to want to do when we’re in pain (either emotionally or physically), isn’t helpful . . . and it isn’t healthy to hold pain in . . . When we’re hurting, we need others to come alongside us and remind us that things will work out . . . We need others to listen, to help us process through life  . . . and we need others to help us remember that we’re not alone, because Christ understands us . . . God is always near.

Jesus understands you . . . He gets you . . . He knows you better than you know yourself . . . He is an understanding Savior.  . . . He understands . . . He went through it all for you and me . . . Trust that, hold onto it, and let that hope push you forward in your walk with Him.

Be willing to tell yourself, over and over again if necessary—"God sees me—God knows me well . . .  He knows me better than anyone else does . . . Even better than I know myself . . . I need to have faith and trust . . . Other people don’t know me like God does . . . I need to listen to God, not other people . . . God does not change and He will not leave me—ever.”

Dear Lord, thank you for being “Immanuel, God with us.”
Thank you for knowing us and understanding us. Keep showing us our path.
Keep comforting us when we need it. Keep strengthening us when we are weak.
Thank you for understanding everything that we are going through each day.
‍ ‍We need Your presence, Your help, and Your peace.  In Jesus’ name.—Amen

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Prayer Paths (written by Dr. Debbie Parcel)
is a weekly email letter designed to “fuel”
your active prayer life, help you stay engaged in
focused prayer, and encourage a
growing relationship with our Triune God. 

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with your name and email,
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