Let’s face it. People let us down. They disappoint us. And sometimes it seems God does too. Often our experiences fall short of our expectations for God to meet all our needs the way we think He should, and like a lover who has been wronged, we tend to guard our hearts against future disappointment by lowering our expectations and trust. But make no mistake about it, God sees. God understands. He is not aloof.
One day I was sitting on the patio with my stepfather, Pete, waiting for the grill to heat up before cooking our dinner. My mom opened the door and gave Pete his orders—telling him what to do and how to do it. When she went back inside, Pete made a hand signal, pointing in one ear and out the other. We both laughed. Then he placed his ruddy hand on my arm, a hand worn by years of working under the hood of cars of every make and model.
“She was pretty hard on you growing up, wasn’t she?” he asked.
“You have no idea,” I answered with a sigh.
But Pete did have an idea. He understood. And that one simple gesture let me know that he had peered into my heart and had seen the truth. The weathered, uneducated country mechanic had looked under the hood of my heart with wisdom and seen the damaged engine within. A heart, though healed by Christ, that still felt the phantom pains of a little girl who felt she was never good enough, who was constantly told what to do and how to do it—and who never did it quite right. Pete saw my heart, and for that, I loved him.
How like God. He places His hand on your shoulders, looks into your eyes, and lets you know that He understands. “I see you,” He says. “I see what you are going through.”
Hagar was a woman in the Bible who experienced that very feeling.
In Genesis, God told Abram that he would be the father of many nations. However, his wife, Sarai, was barren. Sarai got tired of waiting on God to fulfill His promise, so she took matters into her own hands—which always leads to trouble.
She told her husband to sleep with her servant, Hagar, in order to produce a son. While that is shocking for you and me to wrap our minds around, it was a common practice in those days. Abram did what Sarai suggested and Hagar became pregnant. But then Sarai grew jealous of Hagar’s fruitful womb and treated her harshly. When Hagar couldn’t take the ill treatment any longer, she ran away to the desert.
While there, the angel of the LORD came to Hagar and reassured her, encouraged her, and directed her. “She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me.’” For she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” (Genesis 16:13 NIV). God saw her pain when no one else did.
In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews tells us that we have a High Priest, Jesus, who understands what we are going through. He “sympathizes” with our weakness (Hebrews 4:15 ESV). The word “sympathizes” comes from two Greek words, sym and pathos, meaning, “suffer with.” We are not alone in our suffering; the God who sees…the High Priest who understands…is always there.
And you know what? My mom learned that, too. She had had a difficult life and sat in her own personal desert many days. That feisty woman came to know that God saw her, and Jesus understood her. And in the end, when she bossed me around as only a mom of an adult child can do, instead of getting ticked, I got tickled. And Pete and I both laughed.
No matter what you’re going through right now, know this: God sees you; God hears you; God is concerned.
Lord, I am so thankful that I have a God who sees me and High Priest who understands exactly what I’m going through. Help me to rest in the assurance that I am not alone, but in Your capable hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What is one area of your life that you are comforted to know that God sees what you’re going through. Leave a comment and let’s pray for one another.
Words are one of the most powerful forces in the universe, and God has entrusted them to you! They echo in hearts and minds long after they are spoken. How will we use this gift? Your words can change the course of someone’s day…even someone’s life. In The Power of a Woman’s Words: How Your Words Shape the Lives of Others learn how to tame your tongue and speak life to those around you. This book also has a companion study guide that is perfect for women’s Bible study groups!
© 2022 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Comments 84
Thank you Sharon. Touched me. Keep sharing and know a difference is being made. Susan
Sharon,
I just finished your book “A Sudden Glory,” last night. It was SO good and I’m going to read it again.
Going through a rough time with my son and might not be able to work next year because of it. I’m trying to lean on God for guidance and direction, but I’m feeling very overwhelmed and tired in the fight right now. I KNOW He has a Good plan and a good future for us and trying to stand on those promises and look for those “sudden glories”. Please pray for me. I need His peace and to see His love and to give it too.
I feel this right now Thank you God
Praying for you Tanja!His grace is sufficient,you and your son will get through the storm in Jesus’ name!
Praying for you and your son, Tanja!
You will be okay sis Tanya, your son as well because we have a good,good, Father. Just lean on Him and ask Him for wisdom . I am praying for you right now, in Jesus Holy, and Matchless name Amen!
Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever and He never changes, He is never partial, He sees you just like He saw Hagar weeping for her son as he lie in the desert dying and he heard the cry of the boy. Then he showed Hagar a spring of water to save them. “And God was with the boy, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer. He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.”
Genesis 21:20-21. God gave them both a future. God hears and sees and provides. Speaking Life over your situation in Jesus name. Amen
As always, Sharon provides us with a word to remind us of God’s faithfulness. The area that I have been concerned about is marriage and kids. I’m 42 and single. I am praying for wisdom on rather this is still God’s will for me. Thank you in advance for the prayers and I am doing likewise for you.
Thank you Sharon you are a God send I have been hurt for many years and sometimes I felt all alone but today I know that God sees what i am going through …💝🙌
Praying the Lord reveals His plan to you, Diasheka. Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth didn’t get married until she was 58, I believe, but God gave her a loving husband. Trusting God with you! 🙏❤️
Hi sis Diasheka, God’s time is the BEST.He knows what He wants for you and at the right time He will send your godly spouse. I am praying for you .God bless!
Thank you for this message !
El Roi, the God who sees the under employment and toxic work environment I am currently in. I pray He will deliver me and bless me with the job 🙏 in Jesus mighty name
Thank you for the reassurance God is aware of me
I love the daily reading and the ease of just clicking on and God just speaks through the stories. Keep up the kingdom work guys because your blessing so many.
God sees the stress I’m feeling while going through a tough time with my 98 year old mom is in rehab after hip surgery. The stress of not knowing what’s next can weigh me down but knowing the Lord is in control and is with me comforts and strengthens me
Your words comforted me this morning. I have been the sole caregiver for both my parents with dementia for 6 years now and I am weary and sometimes wonder if I will ever have a life of my own again. But every time I read about Haggar I am encouraged that the God who sees me, does see me and has a plan for my life. Thanks for the reminder.
I KNOW that God is going to heal my family..
So thankful for the comforting words that “Thou God seest me”
He sees every turmoil and pain…our efforts to rise above them. Thankyou Jesus for not only seeing but being there for me just like you were for Haggar…..
Please pray for restoration in my family
My heart hurts
God sees my struggle with compulsive eating.
I’m journaling my prayers once again in my struggle with compulsive eating after supper. God is reminding me He does see me, and in this spiritual struggle I’ve been having for years, it makes me depend on Him all the more. He doesn’t want us to feel like failures, but to continue going to Him through prayer and the Bible when tempted to find our satisfaction. I’ll pray for you as I go through this journey with you.
My marriage. That the polygamous Union will break and my husband will be back home for good.
My husband is 52. He has a very rare condition. The medication is no longer effective and the only option is surgery. I know he is scared and sometimes he is in terrible terrible pain. My heart breaks when I see him like that, but I have to be strong for him and our 3 daughters. I scream at God at times like that and cannot understand how you can allow a child you love to hurt like that. I try to make sense of all of this but I have already learned so much during this terrible and painful time. God wakes me up with hope every day and I will praise him no matter what. I still have so many things to be thankful for and I live in his grace now. I am ashamed of the trivial things I have complained about in the past and the times I made sharp remarks to my husband. I just love him now with all my heart and pray that the operation goes well. I hope to make this our testimony one day.
Sharon,
Tuesdays have become my favorite day due to your teachings.
Just wanted to thank you.
I’m 63 man left alone by wife and children,mother and brothers and grandchildren . I met a professional nurse 10years younger than me in 2018,she was single with 3 children,she said to me: I’ll take care for and be your best partner for life. We’re living happily and I’m so happy. I respect and love her as the blessings from God.
I’m going through sobreity, therapy & reading healing books & praying. I need strength as I go through this not knowing how much trauma I been through or I put ppl I love through. I need prayers to overcome this trial. To be able to understand , listen & communicate with others &: love my significant other. Pray that he is not a hindrance to my growth in Christ.
I pray God knows the pain and loneliness of losing my mom. Lord do not allow me to close my heart but to be open to experience your love & the love of others now & going forward.
My extreme & debilitating anxiousness over my job.
I know GOD sees me when I feel down and depressed and empty!!!
And I feel that way now! Please pray for me!! And pray for my mom she is not sleeping well and she is dizzy with no energy! She had a doctor appointment on Wednesday!! Please say a prayer for my mom and me please!
Please pray for me and my mom!!!
I feel down and depressed and empty!!!
Please pray for my mom. She has a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday!
She is not sleeping well and she is dizzy with no energy!!!!
Please pray for me and my mom! Please! And thank you very much,!
I have a grandson 9 yrs
I find that I’m harsh with him
I pray for kindness and a better relationship with him and his dad
Going through some minor health issues and I do not have insurance. My income is low and I don’t feel I can afford a doctor right now. I have been pleading with the Lord for healing, but I don’t feel like he hears me.
Hi sis Sue , He does hear you, delays are NOT denials , so keep praying ,and ask Him what He wants you to learn from this trial , not “WHY “he is not answering , we should NEVER question Him , but ,most importantly have a quiet time with Him after praying ,and LISTEN for Him to talk to you . It is not enough to stop at Amen , LISTEN to hear Him direct you, and He WILL trust me . God bless!
God has opened up my daughters ears to here his voice and how she acted up upon it, brought me peace of mind. Her former husband is in a relationship with a convicted felon, whose has a level 6 felony for meth and was a getaway car for a murder. Our concern are the children. I am proud of her because as hard as it has been, she is being obedient to God’s word. Please pray for Ross and Krystal and their 4 children. THANK YOU.
My husband and son’s relationship. Also I get my feelings hurt by my grandchildren. I’m 68, a “young” 68” because they sometimes make me feel invisible. This makes my heart hurt.
God sees you Betsy, I see you! Prayers for you and your family!
Even reaching the point of despair especially in the events of the past year I find comfort in knowing God sees when I get texts or meet people that only God could have sent.💛
God sees me and Jesus understands that I’m going in a difficult marriage. God sees that I’ve dealt with a lot of pain. Jesus understands my need to be genuinely loved and cared for. I need healing.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder. I love your book as well.
God bless you, sister.
Tess
I am thankful that I continue to be more aware of His presence in my life during my struggles and hardships. I can be very hard to trust in the Lord with everything especially when you are hurting or have been hurt deeply. I feel so much better when I give everything to Him instead of trying to control and navigate through life by myself. He is always with me.
I am comforted to know God is always with me, especially with my chronic, debilitating health issues.
Even when I feel lonely for friendships, I do know God is here with me & I am truly grateful. 💜
Thank you
Thank you..I enjoy your teachings
Worry so much people won’t like me.
Hi sis Gayle, you should ONLY worry about how God feels about about you, and trust me He loves you very much because you are fearfully and wonderfully made ,(Psalm 139:13-14)God bless:)
My relationship with my family that I be a good example/ambassador of Christ Jesus to them….
Also my relationship with Emil. Is he the right guy? There’s always complications but our love for each other is stronger.
I’m still trying to “protect” my grown children. I see what they are capable of and who is not compatible-or for them…and I make it known. Maybe I shouldn’t so much. Maybe when they’re complaining about their bf or gf I should just remind myself to “smile and wave” (Madascar)lol.
Be blessed…May we all be blessed and give grace…even to ourselves.
Thank you for this devotional on Hagar! It’s the 2nd time this week I heard a devotional on Hagar! God’s trying to remind me that He is a God who sees! My daughter is going to East Africa this summer for 6 weeks. I’m so grateful that God will see my daughter and watch over her and guide her! Thanks again!
what confirmation of a truth I am rejoicing over right now as I lie is a hospital bed recuperating from yesterday’s surgery to repair my hip broken to pieces from a horse fall. God is SO GOOD 💝 He has surrounded me with loving friends & family when i need it most❤❤❤ Your blog is a beautiful reminder He is always present🥰
I am praying for a speedy recovery sis Sandra . God bless!
I so needed to read this this morning. My father suffered a stroke a week ago and is still in ICU. He has always told us that he does not want to be a burden to us and does NOT want to be placed in a nursing home. He has also requested DNR. I was talking to my husband last night and I told him “I don’t even know what to pray for. Its so difficult to see him suffering like this and I know this is not what he wants.” I will continue to have faith that God knows the outcome of his future.
My mother was a stroke victim for years and came to know God through it and it was wonderful and each time family grew too give it to God just pray and let God do what needs
Thank you that God sees my broken heart over my broken marriage and I know he is with me whether my husband divorces me or wants reconciliation. God has a plan and will heal my heart.
Sometimes I feel that God doesn’t care about me. My husband has dementia, my son has a heart condition, and I have end stage renal disease. I am on dialysis and awaiting a kidney (one day). I know God sees me, but it is just hard to know why he allows so much.
Prayed for you this morning, Michele. 🙏❤️
Sis,Michele, yes it is hard but our trials help, us to help others , so tap into God’s joy already in you and be STRONG! He really loves you very much, and is going through this with you.God bless!
Praying for you Michelle 💖
Praying for relief over my finances and deliver me from the strong hold of anger and influence of negative people in my life I cast them out Lord. I pray for a better position of employment to where I’m able to use my mind more and less of my physical body, I’m not a spring chicken anymore! I ask all this in Jesus heavenly name Amen 🙏🏼
I feel unappreciated by my husband and kids. I know this is a lie from the devil but it’s so believable!
Gods timing is always perfect .
Thank you for devotional. Struggling with a sibling , about to give up but what a reminder I am not alone !
I am still grieving from a divorce and I know that my Heavenly Father has been with me this entire time. Prayers please for strength, contentment and comfort.
Sis Crystal , the joy of our Lord is your strength, it is ALREADY in you , so tap into it and be strong. I am praying for wisdom , and guidance in Jesus Holy ,and Matchless name Amen! God bless:)
Hi sister Sharon, you are such a blessing. Your kind words and encouragement ALWAYS lift me up . I am not there yet becuase I am still waiting to hear from God . I know I just have to TRUST Him and WAIT. He knows what is BEST for His children , and He will NEVER lie to us. I know these trials will make me stronger, and also help me understand that I can ONLY lean on Him , and Him ALONE. Thank you again for all you do sis, and i pray God to keep giving you wisdom .Please continue to pray for me not to listen to the devil, he is ALWAYS on duty trying to make me doubt our Heavenly Father’s promises because that’s his M.O. but we know that God put him under our feet for a reason , and he will definitely be crushed .God bless you all my sisters that you help ,and encourage everyday. ❤️
I am having some pain and mobility issues that are discouraging. I am doing my best to trust God. Sharon, your words were encouraging. Thank you. Please pray for me that I can let go of the discouragement and get on with my day.
Thank you so much for the reminder of being seen. Last year I wrote my story “Can Anybody See Me” telling of God’s redemption in my life. He truly does see and know us and loves us still.
This is very comforting ~knowing that God sees what I’m going through. I’ve been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and sometimes I get stuck with my words and I’m not sure what to say to God but knowing He sees what I’m going through and he hears my moans and knows my cries gives me peace in this storm.
I believe that God knows what I’m going through the past 8 months because He took my husband home to be with Him. I now suffer each day because this was to me the greatest loss I’ve ever experienced in my life. I love God and know He is for me and not against me, I just do not understand WHY he left me so brokenhearted by removing my husband and best friend from my life. I know that one day I will understand, the day God takes me home to be with Christ; until then, I just have to trust that God’s plan for my life is a perfect one. I just need peace in my heart throughout my journey forward. and the comfort only He can provide. Thank you for your kind words and encouragement – they help give me hope.
My Husband and I not living together or in same city as he became addicted to pills. Its so very sad…. I pray fervently for him and for God to take the burden of my worry, sadness and pain
PRAY for MY FAMILY AND I FOR THERE SEEMS TO BE NO END TO FAMILY ISSUES IN ALL AREAS. BUT I KNOW GOD HEARS ME AND I ALWAYS LEAVE THINGS TO HIM. GOD WILL HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.
There are days when the weight of single parenting gets so incredibly heavy, where my heart wants to scream out LOUD, God. Enough. Already! How much longer?
Then I get an email like the one above, and realize, He is here, He is calling to me to cast my cares upon Him.
Thank You Father!!!
I finally have the man of my dreams. It hurt then, when he was diagnosed with ALS. I wanted a 25 years, not 18 mo the. But, we still don’t know what God has in store and what plans He has. I hold onto Jeremiah 29:11, knowing God has a plan. He listened when I told Him, I was angry, He understood and He forgave. He loves me and He is my rock. Thank you for your book, praying for your husband from Head to Toe. Blessings
With the cost of living going sky high, my husband and I are fighting (not literally) to keep afloat! His job isn’t paying him the commissions he earned and we are still digging out paying old bills instead of filing for bankruptcy (for NOW). I PRAY that we find some relief. Praying for some peace and financial breaks!!!
I am lost, I want to pull away from God, I know He loves me, I know I love Him, but I can’t feel him. I feel so alone, I don’t know how to get out of this darkness that my life has become, despites all the blessings I have around me, just because a man made me feel like I am not enough, that I don’t have value, that he never loved me. Please, please, pray for me because I don’t have more words to say to Him, our Lord.
Luisa,
You are in my prayers. Often when we run out of words to pray, it is the time we sit and listen only. God knows our heart. He knows what we need. We try to fix our own problems by “doing something”, and it usually makes things worse. We need to get out of the way and TRUST God to do HIS job.
I have been where you are. HE will guide you even if you’re standing still.
I have just come through a nasty divorce from a very evil man who used me to come to Canada and let me financially support him for ten years before I found out about his ongoing adultery. He just got his gf pregnant and now have a baby boy.. My separation cost me my savings. I have limited income on pension and pray for God’s help and healing. I’m sad and lonely but blessed in other ways. Appreciate prayers realizing so many women are suffering due to divorce. God sees us and knows what we have been through. Prayers for all in a similar situation.
What stood out to me is the statement: words are one of the most powerful force in the Universe. Yes, they are, just like love. So, loving words must be the most powerful healing balm.
What I am going to do is Lection Divina with the two passages from the Old and New testament shared there and see where this leads me in my own life and works and words.
I will share more on your FB page Sharon, thank you
Please pray for me. I feel overwhelmed by a situation in my life. Waiting on God to finish something that is close to being done. The waiting is hard and I just want it to be done. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I just want to get there. I feel like life has been in limbo for many years. I am praying in Jesus name for it to be done this week! Thank you.
Luisa, you do have value, don’t let anyone tell you different. You are HIS!!
LOVING CHILD. I know how you feel because my brother has made me feel like you, like a nobody. He did not invite us to his wife’s funeral because our daughter and her husband would be there. Daughter put us out of her life and our 4 grandkids for 20 years. I called child services on her husband because he was verbally and physically abusing his STEPSON. Now my brother’s son in law is accusing me of calling child services on him and getting him fired from his job. We don’t even know his address. I think it’s my daughter who must have called child services on them and make it look like I did. My brother is not defending me!!. All this leaves me feeling sad and depressed. But God knows ALL, He is in control and I will always remember that He gives me strength
I needed this reminder today. I am a child of God’s but still stress some because today I will have a pacemaker placed and am concerned about having to depend on a ‘man-made’ piece of equipment to keep me alive instead of the intact body God gave me. Man fails, G0d does not. He has a purpose for this happening; I can’t seem to let go of the anxiety thinking about the ramifications. I will either stay here for go to my Heavenly home. satan is a miserable creature.!
I babysit my grandson it’s sometimes very difficult.
I’m going through some postpartum depression and anxiety. I went through this 2 years ago with my previous pregnancy and had thought that I was healed and that this pregnancy was going to be different as it started out way different, so I was very caught off guard this time around. It was a good reminder to hear that God sees me in this journey. And he knows what I’m going through.
You are the God who sees me in this rented house. I give you glory because one day I will be in my own house.
The brokenness in our family is overwhelming. It seems to be an impossible mountain to move. I’m trying to put my trust in the Lord to step in & give me a miracle of healing according to His will. Please pray for our broken family🙏