I've Been There Too

When Claire McGarry can relate to her daughter’s situation because she had the same experience, she realizes why Christ can relate to our human experience.

As a child, I had such extreme seasonal allergies that the discharge from my eyes overnight would seal my eyelashes shut by morning. I’d have to call out to my mom to bring in a warm cloth to melt and wipe it all away.

For the first time last spring, it happened to my teenage daughter, Jocelyn. Understandably, she was rattled. It’s very unnerving when you wake up with your eyelashes glued together so tightly, you can’t even open your eyes.

Yet, as soon as I said: “I know how you feel. I’ve been there too,” a calm washed over her. It immediately replaced her concern with trust. She knew for certain I could relate to how she felt. She also realized I’d know exactly how to care for her and help her through the problem.

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The experience helped me better understand why God came down to us in the form of His Only Begotten Son. Of course, Jesus’ primary objective was to take on our sins and nail them to the cross. But in His graciousness, He also took on every other kind of discomfort and suffering we could imagine so we’d know He could fully relate to us in every scenario.

Now, when we’re betrayed by a friend, and an ache fills our heart, we’re consoled when He says: “I know how you feel. I’ve been there too.” When people scorn us and mock us for our beliefs, we find comfort when He says: “I know how you feel. I’ve been there too.” When our body aches from a wound or injury, it hurts less when He says: “I know how you feel. I’ve been there too.”

No matter what we’re going through, recognizing that Jesus felt it too should comfort us. It should also affirm our trust in the fact that He knows exactly what to do to help us through.

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