Jesus Understands How You Feel
Adapted from Managing Your Emotions
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Today’s scripture speaks of our “high priest,” and this refers to Jesus. He experienced every emotion and suffered every feeling you and I do, yet without sinning. Why didn’t He sin? Because He didn’t give in to ungodly feelings. He knew God’s Word in every area of life because He spent years studying it before He began His ministry.
Luke 2:40 says that as a child, Jesus “grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.” By the time He was twelve years old, He thought He was old enough to go to the temple in Jerusalem and be about His Father’s business (Luke 2:41–52). But He still had years of learning before He entered His full-time ministry.
You and I will never be able to say no to our feelings if we don’t have within us a strong knowledge of God’s Word. Jesus felt the same feelings we feel, but He never sinned by giving in to them.
When I feel hurt, angry, or upset, it’s such a comfort to me to be able to go to God and say, “Jesus, I’m so glad You understand what I’m feeling right now and that You don’t condemn me for it. Help me, Lord, to manage my emotions and not feel condemned, thinking I shouldn’t feel this way.”
Because we’re human, we have emotions. Sometimes they are intense. But we can be honest with God about them, knowing Jesus understands how we feel, and we can ask for and receive His help to manage them in a godly way.
Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Jesus, for being willing to become human and to understand the emotions I feel. Help me manage my emotions in ways that please You.
