When No One Gets It

1 Samuel 1:8, ESV

And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

Matthew 26:38-40, ESV

Then he [Jesus] said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?

There is such beauty within family and friendship in the body of Christ to carry one another’s burdens and walk with each other through pain and suffering. But, there are times in our lives where our suffering is so intense that no one else seems to get it. 

Even when people are walking with us, it is often the case that another person cannot fully understand the depth of our emotion when we’re enduring hardship and suffering.

So we have to rely on the One who does.

The very next verse in the story of Hannah above describes Hannah going to pour out her heart before the Lord.

And the very next verse in this part of Jesus’ story above describes Jesus going back—two more times—to pray and pour out his heart before His Father. In fact, the author of Hebrews says that Jesus “offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears” (Hebrews 5:7), just like Hannah did in 1 Samuel 1.

If you’re walking through something painful, and you’re feeling frustrated because it seems like no one understands the depth of your suffering, then know this: the One who fully understands is waiting for you to pour your heart out to Him. 

God understands. 

God gets it.

God’s compassion never fails.

And that’s enough. 

We have to lean deeply into the compassion of God and stop trying to receive from people what God abundantly supplies.

Oh Lord, thank You for who You are. Help us to stop trying to receive from people what You abundantly supply. Help us to lean deeply into Your compassion, that You would be enough for us. Amen.