Jesus did a lot of incredible and mind-blowing things. Because of that, I think it’s easy to forget that he had human emotions too. He wasn’t immune to many of the feelings we experience on a daily basis.

For example, he experienced hunger (Mark 11:12), tears (John 11:35), and fatigue (John 4:6).  

Mark 6 tells us about the rejection he faced. People gathered in his hometown synagogue and took offence at him. “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household,” he said (verse 4).

He experienced opposition from the world at large, from the dark forces of evil, from other religious leaders, and now also from his hometown, his relatives, and even from the people with whom he shared the same roof while growing up.

Jesus must have felt very… 

Alone.

A colleague was raised in China. He told me about a man who converted to Christianity. In his family that was a very unpopular thing to do. They held an event. Someone opened the family book. Each person had their own page with special details about their life. That’s when someone tore out his page. It was their way of saying, ‘You’re no longer one of us.’ They shunned him.

There are times when putting God first costs you. It can cost you friends or family members. It can cost you a job or opportunity. It can cost you other things as well.

When that happens, keep a few things in mind. 

First, you’re never truly alone. The Lord is with his people.

Second, you have help and hope in your church family. These are the people you pray, worship, serve and ‘do life’ with on a regular basis.

Third, trust that God is always working in a variety of situations, even when you can’t see it. 

Lastly, know that Jesus understands. 

He’s been there. 

He is also the Lord who gives you his Spirit, a community of faith, everlasting promises, strength, redemption, love, meaning and hope. 

Just because you sometimes feel defeated that doesn’t mean you are. In Christ, you are never without the goodness of God.

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.