Misunderstood               The doubters, accusers, and nay-sayers                                                     followed Him everywhere He went. They                                                     staged embarrassing questions, told lies,                                                   and accused Him of being an agent of the devil.

Taken for Granted           Jesus withstood the humiliation of standing                                                before Pilate when He was the man who raised                                         the dead, fed five thousand, healed the sick,
                                        and brought countless numbers of people into                                            the knowledge of the love of God.

Misunderstood Tears        Jesus wept. Tears of compassion and                                                         empathy are often mistaken for hopelessness                                            and despair. Jesus wept with the family of                                                  Lazarus out of  empathy, and compassion                                                  knowing that He was about to bring Lazarus                                              out of the grave. He understood what they                                                 had endured for the previous four days..

Living in Troubled Times    Roman Occupation of the Old World was filled
                                           oppression and violent suppression.

Dealing w-Difficult Children  Being the God of all of us.


Dealing with Difficult Family People of His own town rejected Him.  
                                              Again, all of us.

Cancel Culture                     The shouting crowd. If they just believe                                                       or think you have a flaw, they will                                                                 attempt discount the resurrection of Lazarus.

Persecution of a People       Golgotha was a symbol of severe torture,                                                   severe pain, and a constant reminder of the                                                subjugation of a people. Jesus stayed on                                                    the cross and would not come down in                                                        order to finish God's plan. God's plan was                                                  to show His people that He                                                                          understands what He is asking us to do.


The list can go on and on. The human condition is vast. These are things we all know in our hearts. This activity is just a way to make it plain for those who are reflecting on the difficulty of the time in which we live.
Scripture: Matthew 5 (Jesus Knows All of Us)

As an individual who received this idea in tears, I would like to highlight that there are spiritual tears which people shed as they come into new understandings, are given new ideas, and shed old concepts and impressions. Tears can be a part of an emotional and spiritual transition to a new level. In some cases, they are tears of gratitude. In other cases, they are tears of the completion of a cycle of knowledge and awareness.
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Spiritual Food for Thought Topic 9
"Jesus Knows Your Pain"

Vol 1-9

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View Topic 10: "We Are One Body"

So many people were struggling and grieving in the time of pandemic,

and moving into post-pandemic America. At times, people despair and think that God is not there or does not understand their suffering. 

In recent reflection and introspection we often ponder the conditions of our society, our nation, and the world. We play worship and praise music playlists, as well as sermons, For a time we try to empathize walking in the shoes of those who are mourning, suffering, and those with waning hope. Lost loved ones, lost businesses, loss of income and opportunity

is all around us. We know that God is with us. But, we can understand the feelings of those who believe that they have been abandoned. Many of the people say things like,

"God is God. He hasn't been through what I have been through."

In response to this cry for help, an activity comes to mind. Maybe others might try it. It is a simple activity and all that is needed is a paper and pen.

The activity works like this...
Write down some item of the human condition, then look at the life of Jesus and ask yourself this question:

During His ministry of miracles, crucifixion, death, and resurrection, did Jesus walk in our shoes?

Examples:
Homelessness              The Son of Man has no place to lay His head

Humiliation                    Paraded before Pilate and the people, stripped                                          of his own clothes, draped in red, and wearing a                                        crown of thorns.                                           

Rejection                       Pilate gave the people the choice between a                                              great prophet and an insurrectionist. Jesus was                                          not chosen                                                                                    
Loss of a loved one       Joseph (His Father) and Lazarus his friend

Poor                              Jesus had no place to lay His head, but was                                              confronted about the  payment of tithes and                                                offerings (while homeless).


Painful Death                 Detailed in the Gospels of the Bible and                                                     Roman Historical Records

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"Spiritual Food for Thought" 

(Reflections)

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