In the midst of a pulsing crowd, in the chaos of life, we go unnoticed by those around us. We carry secret hurts and sorrows and afflictions. We struggle with ourselves--with our past, with our present, with our future. We relive nightmares of our own making or those imposed on us by others.
It's dark and lonely, a hell that no one else sees. We're out of control, beating ourselves black and blue to set our caged souls free. We cry out, but no one hears. This cannot be real, this mess cannot be who we really are. We want someone to look inside and tell us the truth, but no! They'd only find a beast, a monster. We'd be misunderstood, rejected and more alone than ever.
We think no one understands.
That is a lie.
3 He was despised and rejected and forsaken by men, a Man of sorrows and pains, and acquainted with grief and sickness; and like One from Whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we did not appreciate His worth or have any esteem for Him.
4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains... (Isaiah 53:3-4)
23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.
24 He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [g][as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:23-24)
