Today’s Truth

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me.’” For she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me’” (Genesis 16:13 NIV).

Friend to Friend

Let’s face it. People let us down. They disappoint us. And sometimes it seems God does too. Often our experiences fall short of our expectations for God to meet all our needs the way we think He should, and like a lover who has been wronged, we tend to guard our hearts against future disappointment by lowering our expectations and trust. But make no mistake about it, God sees. God understands. He is not aloof.

One day I was sitting on the patio with my stepfather, Pete, waiting for the grill to heat up before cooking our dinner. My mom opened the door and gave Pete his orders—telling him what to do and how to do it. When she went back inside, Pete made a hand signal, pointing in one ear and out the other. We both laughed. Then he placed his ruddy hand on my arm, a hand worn by years of working under the hood of cars of every make and model.

“She was pretty hard on you growing up, wasn’t she?” he asked.

“You have no idea,” I answered with a sigh.

But Pete did have an idea. He understood. And that one simple gesture let me know that he had peered into my heart and had seen the truth. The weathered, uneducated country mechanic had looked under the hood of my heart with wisdom and seen the damaged engine within. A heart, though healed by Christ, that still felt the phantom pains of a little girl who felt she was never good enough, who was constantly told what to do and how to do it—and who never did it quite right. Pete saw my heart, and for that, I loved him.

How like God. He places His hand on your shoulders, looks into your eyes, and lets you know that He understands. “I see you,” He says. “I see what you are going through.”

Hagar was a woman in the Bible who experienced that very feeling.

In Genesis, God told Abram that he would be the father of many nations. However, his wife, Sarai, was barren. Sarai got tired of waiting on God to fulfill His promise, so she took matters into her own hands—which always leads to trouble.

She told her husband to sleep with her servant, Hagar, in order to produce a son. While that is shocking for you and me to wrap our minds around, it was a common practice in those days. Abram did what Sarai suggested and Hagar became pregnant. But then Sarai grew jealous of Hagar’s fruitful womb and treated her harshly. When Hagar couldn’t take the ill treatment any longer, she ran away to the desert.

While there, the angel of the LORD came to Hagar and reassured her, encouraged her, and directed her. “She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me.’” For she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” (Genesis 16:13 NIV). God saw her pain when no one else did.

In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews tells us that we have a High Priest, Jesus, who understands what we are going through. He “sympathizes” with our weakness (Hebrews 4:15 ESV). The word “sympathizes” comes from two Greek words, sym and pathos, meaning, “suffer with.”  We are not alone in our suffering; the God who sees…the High Priest who understands…is always there.

And you know what? My mom learned that, too. She had had a difficult life and sat in her own personal desert many days. That feisty woman came to know that God saw her, and Jesus understood her. And in the end, when she bossed me around as only a mom of an adult child can do, instead of getting ticked, I got tickled. And Pete and I both laughed.

No matter what you’re going through right now, know this: God sees you; God hears you; God is concerned.

Let’s Pray

Lord, I am so thankful that I have a God who sees me and High Priest who understands exactly what I’m going through. Help me to rest in the assurance that I am not alone, but in Your capable hands.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read the first part of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3:7-8. What were the 4 responses that God had to the Israelite’s struggle? I’ll give you the first one: He had seen.

How does that apply to your life?

What is one area of your life that you are comforted to know that God sees what you’re going through. Leave a comment and let’s pray for one another. 

More From the Girlfriends

Did you notice what encouraged Sharon that day were the understanding words of another person. Did you know that you have great power in your words to shape and mold the lives of others? If you want to be that person, check out Sharon’s book, The Power of a Woman’s Words.

© 2022 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.

 

16 Responses to “God Sees What You’re Going Through”

  1. Sheila says:

    I have many struggles I’m going through right now. There are days I wake and say God where are you. I feel like I’m on the edge of a pit. But I tell myself and believe that God is right here.

  2. Peggy says:

    God bless you Sheila. You are right, He is right there with you. He sees you, He knows you, He loves you and He will never leave you!! I’ve been soo low but God is faithful and He delivers! Keep confessing the truth and keep looking up. You’re the best!!

  3. Eve says:

    Good morning Sharon, thank you for sharing your heart. I am struggling as well. I am going through a divorce and it is hard to see God in this miserable situation. I often wonder why God didn’t stop this from happening, even though I know we all make our own choices. Thank you for reminding me that I have El Roi, my God who sees. I know that HE will provide for me as long as I keep my eyes on HIM. Blessings.

  4. Summer Parris says:

    Parenting.
    Most days I feel like I’m getting it all wrong, like everything I do they are going to grow up and have issues for…
    Mommin’ ain’t easy.

  5. Mary says:

    Facing the truth about my past, the family I grew up in, and what I must do to live well each day.

  6. Carol says:

    My own childhood, with Christian parents wasn’t easy or exactly loving.
    Family life Network on the radio and I’m going to an app’t. God met me where I needed to be.
    The msg. was about “church-ed kids”; and the fact they usually don’t see actions of Faith( in family decisions), Love, and Forgiveness.
    Needless to say, I had to pull off the road to a parking area, and had a good old-fashioned cry (what a mess). I didn’t even realize that inside I was carrying a huge burden of sadness and hurt.
    The song “God Only Knows” is a song I totally relate to, as I know others probably do too.
    God does see! He is where we are hurting; He is the great, “I am Who I am!”
    Thank you once again, Sharon for this blessing in writing and a reminder of God’s ever loving kindness!

  7. Joy says:

    I am having trouble with an unsaved husband. It is hard to believe that God hears me after I have been praying about this situation for almost 40 years and no change other than things getting worse. I know I’m wrong to think this, but it seems God has no effect on my husband. I remember Joseph in the Old Testament, how things kept getting worse for him for quite awhile. I guess I just have to remember how God can change things overnight when His timing is right. Thank you for the encouraging word today.

  8. Thank you- encouraging. I have been a widow for 12 years.I have wonderful adult children making their way in the world. It’s been a long and windy road at times, however, I know that the Lord continues to be with me. I am thankful for this reminder that “He sees and know me, and my heart”. Blessings ladies.

  9. Carol says:

    Dear Sister Joy, I’m right there with you; same situation with my hubbie.
    Just when I have felt I couldn’t keep feeling responsible for his spiritual life; God showed me at my small Bible study group, another sister that was experiencing the same in her life.
    HE showed me, that I couldn’t save anyone! All I was to do was to be the example of Jesus, just to show my husband the light of Jesus and rest would happen from God’s doing!
    I know from Heb. 7: 23-28, that our Lord Jesus is walking the floors of Heaven, waiting to hear our requested prayers.
    Keep lifting your husband’s name in prayer, Joy and I’ll do the same for mine.
    Keep living in faith, His timing is always the best way. Blessings to you.

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"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…" 1 Thessalonians 2:8