When Others Don't Umderstand

Ps.62:5, 8. “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him....Trust in him...pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

How I long to be understood. To be listened to. To be loved unconditionally. This has been a lifelong yearning for me.

When I was training to become a nurse,  we were taught that we could not measure another person’s pain. That it was unique to each one. Years later, when I was a patient in the hospital after surgery, I told a nurse I was in terrible pain. But she wouldn’t believe me. Finally, she decided to call my surgeon who ordered immediate relief for me. I had been misunderstood, and felt hurt, frustrated, and finally desperate.

Often, when I’ve felt overwhelmed and close to burn-out, I’ve experienced pressure from others to do something, or go somewhere, when it seemed unwise to me. Sometimes I’ve sensed strong disapproval for refusing.  And my suffering increases.

Many of us who deal with chronic conditions have good days and bad days. We have times when our attitude is more hopeful–even perhaps on a rough day, and times when we’re discouraged, fearful or grieving. But if our symptoms are invisible to those around us, they may have trouble knowing why we’re suddenly unable to do what we’ve done most other days. They may accuse us of being lazy, or uncooperative, or self-absorbed.

Sometimes we are blessed with people in our lives who understand us pretty well. That can be a great encouragement. Yet even they can disappoint us with their insensitivity at times. A friend and I were discussing this dilemma some time ago, and she brought to my mind something that has stuck with me: that God is the only one who knows us through and through, and completely accepts us.

Prayer: “ Loving Father,  how comforting it is to realize that you’re aware of everything about me. And that you invite me to pour out my heart to you. Please remind me to do this and find, in you, my true and constant refuge.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth Cottrill lives in a small town in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, with her recently retired pastor/teacher husband, Bob. She finds living with Attention Deficit Disorder, osteo-arthritis and a stroke of several years ago a challenge, but also training for a ministry to others. This couple have one child, a dear son, who, with their special daughter-in-law and two wonderful young children are living in Mexico, preparing for a church planting ministry.