God understands!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize 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

I find it so comforting to know that Jesus went through trials just like we do. He was tempted, and even had friends turn their backs on him. He showed us how to respond to our trials with love. In this season we are in now, I am learning more about how to respond. We all go through challenges in life, and when they do come, my tendency has been to lean towards reacting with fear and “the-sky-is-falling”mentality. I can remember when my kids were little, every time something would break or spill it would bother me less and less. Now, if something like that happens, I don’t feel upset at all, and just think…”oh well!”. Life has a way of doing the same thing to us through trials. During this last year, we have closed a business, said goodbye to our last parent, become empty nesters, married off a daughter, moved to a new town, taken on building a cabin in another state, have experienced some estrangement from family……and felt all the emotions that go along with it all. I have had time and space to reflect and feel emotions I haven’t felt in a long time, or at all. Through it all I have had an opportunity to have compassion for others, including my parents and in-laws who are no longer with us, imagining what they must have felt throughout their lives. What a gift the valleys of life are, teaching us a fresh way to respond with love and understanding towards others. In some cases, more importantly, we can start with having grace on ourselves. We are loved! Jesus came and lived a life teaching us how to walk out our salvation and died for us as an act of LOVE. He knows our pain, and He can help us through every peak and valley in this short life here on earth.

Thank you Father for sending your Son for us, and fighting for us in every trial. Help us to respond with love and breathe life into every circumstance. Amen.

Illustrations by Haley Punjak

Edited by Rachel Harmening