“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” (Hebrews 4:15)

Mapacha had a condition. She often suffered from profuse bleeding leading to menstrual cramps and it worried her. Yet, her dorm matron at her school, was ever gruff, finding fault everywhere and quite unapproachable. So she kept her burden to herself. Fortunately for her, soon there was a change in administration. Once a new matron was appointed it was clear she was approachable. Often she openly shared of her struggles as an adolescent. Encouraged, Mapacha confided in her the situation that was troubling her. She found a solution.

There are cases where we find someone we arw not confident enough to share with our burdens because of a past sour relationship where we were not encouraged. One could come from a relationship where he was always reprimanded for expressing a concern. Given this background even when it comes to God one holds back. In his view God must be, like those hard people, ever on some fault finding mission, and so, keep far.

This is quite far from the truth. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” ( Mathew 11:28-30).

From here we notice that unlike that image of a distant God it is the opposite; we have a loving Father who wants to hold us in his bossom. In fact, we are encouraged, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”                  (Hebrews 14:16).

So, whatever situation you are facing just forget all those image of an unpproachable Father. Open up fully your heart to him, for he is “gentle and humble of heart”!

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I come to you in full confidence and open my heart to you, assured of your empathy for my situation, and because of that, my soul rests in you, this I pray in Jesus’s name!