When you face rejection from friends or enemies,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When you struggle in the crucible of suffering and obedience,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When you have to surrender what feels like all of your life, put all the chips in,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When one of your closest offers up their intimacy with you as a means of hurting you,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When the friends who say they’ll always be there disappear into the smoky background,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When your words are twisted to say something other than what you said,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When enemies gather around with threats so real you don’t know what will happen,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When people with authority accuse you of doing or saying things that make no sense,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When the day disappears and you cannot sleep because the darkness drags on deep,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When you’re hungry and thirsty and the only thing on offer is more bitter than your longing,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When you face brutality from others that most can only imagine,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When your flesh is flayed and you are vulnerably exposed,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When the only words you hear are mockery, accusation, and condemnation,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
When the sky darkens and the Father’s presence feels absent,
Beloved, I’ve been there.
I have been there,
the eternal in time,
light in the darkness,
love in the void,
salvation in damnation,
that you would know
I am the real God,
who is Immanuel.
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Matthew Erickson 
Thanks for this important message Matt!! A Savior that knows and can feel our pain….and at a time “Christmas” when many of us are haunted by memories of loss and painful memories……
To be reminded that we have a Savior that experienced those same emotions and grieves with us in our pain is a much needed message at this “time of the year!”