Life taught me at a very young age not to trust people. My mother abandoned me as an infant. The woman put in her place, paid to care for me, abused me. I could go on from there, but I won’t. I share this to offer a baseline as to why I grew to distrust people. No, I ‘ll go so far as to say I hated people. All people. Especially women. More than that…I hated myself.

I was a miserable person.

I desperately wanted connection. But no one understood me. Even if someone could comprehend what it was like to be abused…to live in fear, they couldn’t understand what it was like to grow up without a mother. People always try to tell me that everyone loves their mothers…even the bad ones. They don’t understand the complete lack of connection from a mother you had no opportunity to bond with, meeting her for the first time at age eight, and being expected to love her as a child loves her mother.

All this to say, again, I was desperate to be understood. And even if, by some miracle, I found a human on this planet capable of understanding, they were human and not to be trusted. Even Jesus didn’t trust people.

“But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.” -John 2:24-25

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard Christians say how comforting it is that Jesus walked the earth in a human body. He could understand us.

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” – John 1:14

But He wasn’t abandoned by his mother or abused as a small child! How could He understand me?

Because He’s God.

“The Father and I are one.” – John 10:30

He understands our struggles because He walked around in a flesh sack. He understands us intimately because He created us. He knows every strand of hair on our heads. He knows our innermost thoughts. He was with us, a witness to every moment of our lives. He knows.

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13

“You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.” – Psalm 139:2

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable.” – Hebrews 4:13

And He loves you.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” – Romans 5:8

I still can’t get over the fact that someone Who knows me so intimately still loves me to the point of going to the cross.

Do you realize that? If no other human existed on this earth, Jesus would have gone to the cross for you alone…whether you loved Him back or not?

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that [INSERT YOUR NAME HERE] who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16

I still find it hard to believe. But I’m grateful for a God who loves me so much. I no longer need others to understand me. It would be nice sometimes, but when I’m feeling misunderstood, I go to God. He is always there. My ever present help.

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” -Psalm 46:1

I am not alone.

And neither are you.

And we need each other.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” -Proverbs 27:17

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” -Ecclesiastes 4:12

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:25

I’ve changed. This selfish, fearful, bitter, soul who viewed humankind as a plague upon the planet, now loves them enough to put myself out there in hopes of reaching even one for Christ. I teach 5th & 6th graders about Christ. I write blogs and stories about Him. I co-lead a ministry meant to reach the community to show His love. I legit love people.

“We love each other because he loved us first.” – 1 John 4:19

If you ask how I know God is real. That’s how. I’m a completely different person. I love people despite my experiences. I spend time with God, place my trust in Him, and feel His presence and love. I see Him working in everything.

We need God. We need each other. But we need God first. Once that relationship is right, good relationships with others will follow.

“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:37-39

I want that for you. For your families. For all of humanity.

God does too.

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” -2 Peter 3:9

We all need to be known, understood, and loved. We all need connection. What do you need to do? Do you need to take a step toward God, toward trusting Him? Do you need to share the hope you have with others? Do you need to come alongside someone who is hurting and needs the love of Christ?

We live in a hurting world. If you’re hurting, I pray God will comfort you as He has comforted me.

You are loved,

J F Rogers