“God Knows How You Feel”

Thanks for spending this week with me on "A Miracle Every Day!"

This morning, I woke up feeling the pressure of life. At the time of writing, I also have several other writing deadlines. Easter is right around the corner, we have family coming into town, and there is some financial stress. Truthfully, we all face it, don’t we?

Our modern world is filled with stress. We juggle countless responsibilities, navigate complex relationships, and constantly strive to keep up. Whether you're a parent, a CEO, a student, or simply trying to live life, the pressure is real. I remember reading a humorous piece about job pressure from Dr. Suess: 

“I love my job. I love the pay!I love it more and more each day.I love my boss, he is the best!I love his boss and all the rest.I love my office and its location. I hate to have to go on vacation.I love my furniture, drab and grey, and piles of paper that grow each day!I think my job is swell, there's nothing else I love so well.I love to work among my peers, I love their leers, and jeers, and sneers.I love my computer and its software; I hug it often though it won't care.

I love each program and every file, I'd love them more if they worked a while.I'm happy to be here. I am. I am.I'm the happiest guy of the Firm, I am.

I love this work. I love these chores.I love the meetings with deadly bores.I love my job—I'll say it again—I even love those friendly men.Those friendly men who've come today, in clean white coats to take me away!!!!!”

This is funny, but it also reflects the reality of how stress can overwhelm us.

Jesus understands this pressure. Over the next few days, we'll spend some time reflecting on 24 hours in His life, a time filled with both incredible highs and profound lows. These stories, found in Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, and John 6, reveal a Jesus who experienced the full range of human emotions.

This day began with the devastating news of John the Baptist's execution. Imagine the pain of losing a dear friend and cousin, a man who had paved the way for Jesus' ministry. Jesus needed time to grieve, to be alone with His thoughts and His Father. But before He could withdraw, His disciples returned, eager to share their experiences of healing and teaching.

Mark 6 says that they... “reported ALL they had done and taught" (Mark 6:30 NIV) 

Even in His grief, Jesus listened, encouraged, and shared their joy. Then, a massive crowd appeared, seeking healing and help. Jesus, moved with compassion, healed the sick. As the day wore on, He fed the 5,000, a miraculous act of provision (see Mark 6:30-44). Finally, He sent the disciples away and went to pray, seeking solitude.

Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15 NIV) 

Jesus felt temptation, anger, betrayal, compassion, isolation, threat, grief, pain, joy, and the relentless demands of others—and His day was just getting started. friend, Jesus knows exactly how we feel.

As we walk through this DAY with Jesus, know that He is with us in every way and that we can be comforted in the simple fact that He gets us! Let’s pray...

Lord Jesus, thank You for understanding our struggles. Thank You for walking in our shoes and knowing the weight of our burdens. Help us to find comfort and strength in Your presence. In Your name, Amen.

Never forget, my friend, you are a miracle!