What do you say when someone shares a struggle they’re going through or a deep hurt they’ve experienced? I often used to tell people, “You’re strong and getting stronger every day.” I meant well, but I’m coming to see it as an unhelpful sentiment. Because in my own worst moments, I didn’t want to hear that I could get through it if I would just dig deep enough. I was overwhelmed. The one thing I knew most clearly was that it was too much for me. And I think what deep down I most wanted to hear was, “You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here for you. Let me help you.”
Isn’t it incredible that’s just what Jesus does? He sees us struggling with a burden and says, “That’s heavy. Let’s trade” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Somehow we’ve gotten this a little mixed up. We think that God only wants our best things. But what He desires first are our broken things – “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God” (Psalm 51:17). He “is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Our not-enough-ness makes us the perfect candidates to highlight His lavish grace (2 Corinthians 12:9). He doesn’t gloat over our failures or shame us for our weakness, but “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Jesus was even more clear on this – “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners” (Mark 2:17, emphasis added). For people who know they don’t have it all together and are never going to get it together on their own. While on earth, He touched lepers, ate and drank with the “worst” kinds of people. He will never pull back or shrink away from our mess. His heart is compassion. He is tender, gentle, patient.
This is the best news in the world.
Jesus was introduced as Immanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23). And His final words on earth were a reinforcement of that truth – “I am with you always, until the very end” (Matthew 28:20). Regardless of circumstance, on every occasion, Christ is with you.
You don’t have to do this alone.