Our tendency in the midst of suffering is to turn on God. To get angry and bitter and shake our fist at the sky and say, God, you don't know what it's like! You don't understand! You have no idea what I'm going through. You don't have a clue how much this hurts. The cross is God's way of taking away all of our accusations, excuses, and arguments. The cross is God taking on flesh and blood and saying, Me too.
This powerful quote highlights the human tendency to question and sometimes blame God during periods of deep suffering. It acknowledges our natural inclination to feel misunderstood, abandoned, and hurt when faced with life's hardships. However, it also points to a profound truth about the nature of God's compassion and presence. The imagery of the cross serves as a reminder that God is not distant or indifferent to our suffering; rather, He has personally entered into it by becoming flesh and blood, experiencing pain and hardship firsthand. This act of divine solidarity offers comfort and reassurance — it signals that no pain is too great or too trivial for God's attention and empathy. The notion that God's willingness to come to us in our suffering transforms accusations into understanding fosters a perspective of hope and trust. It encourages believers to see pain not as a sign of divine neglect but as an invitation to deepen their relationship with a compassionate God who truly 'knows what it's like.' The quote ultimately challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of divine justice and love, reminding us that God's arms are open in the midst of our suffering, encouraging us to lean on His presence instead of turning away in frustration.
