One common question in the face of a trial is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest." (Psalm 22:1-2).

The same words were spoken by Jesus Jesus on the cross when He said "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani". And you can begin to ask why God would forsake Jesus in the first place.

However, it is also said about Jesus that "...we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Life on earth and the moments on the cross have led to sympathy and understanding of our frame as humans.

As I mentioned in my previous note, God understands us and He won't test us beyond what we can bear.

Here is the thought I am looking to share this week; While our experiences and trials can make a new person out of us, we must be intentional about the process.

James encourages us to consider it pure joy, [my brothers and sisters] whenever we face trials of many kinds because we know that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4, Emphasis added).

One of the expressions of maturity we develop in the process of trials (or testing of our faith) is the kind of sympathy expressed by Jesus Christ.

grayscale photography of kids walking on road

Hebrews 5:2 says it is so that ...He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray since he himself is also subject to weakness.

Oftentimes, God uses our experiences to teach us how to show grace and compassion to those who are going through what have have gone through. So when and where we might be asking why God has forsaken us, we can take comfort in the positive effect of our experiences on others.

The way Job's story inspires faith in us, our experiences can inspire faith in others. And the same way Jesus built compassion and sympathy through the life in the flesh, we can also learn [as priests] to show grace and be compassionate to people going through trials [like our high Priests].