January 24, 2024

“If only my grief could be weighed, and my devastation placed with it on the scales.” – Job 6:2

Back in 2018, I broke both of my shoulders at the same time and had to have emergency surgery to repair them. I was quite a sight to see as I walked around town with both of my arms tied up in slings, unable to use them at all. People would often stop me and ask what happened. I very quickly got tired of telling the story, especially on my more painful days. But there was one thing that bothered me more than anything else. Several times someone would stop me and ask what happened, and then say, “I know how you feel, I once had to have surgery on one of my shoulders.” “You know how I feel?! I would have given anything to have at least one usable arm. That would change everything! I am sorry, but you have no idea how I feel!” …I never actually said that, but it did go through my mind.

Over my 25 years of ministry, I now understand that none of us really understands the pain others are going through. That means, when you are hurting mentally, physically, or spiritually, other people are not going to fully understand. They can offer their sympathy and their help, but your pain is unique to you. The truth is, there is only One who intimately knows what your suffering is like in any given trial. God knows. That is why prayer is so important during our most difficult times. We often pray to God in one of two ways; we see him as either the one who caused the pain or the one who can rescue us from the pain. But there is a third, and very important way to pray; pray to God as the one who knows the pain. His omniscience and his intimacy mean he is the only one who truly knows what you are dealing with. If you need to talk with someone who understands, talk with him.

Almighty God and Loving Father, teach us to bring our pain to You. We recognize that You are the only one who truly understands. Let us find peace and healing in our conversations with You.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon