Gentle and Lowly, Chapter 4 - “Able to Sympathize”

This reflection is by Visio Dei member Travis Bradshaw

My work allows for a flexible schedule.  I enjoy the freedom that provides. Sometimes, I get to work shorter days.  But, over the past several months, I have struggled with getting my 40 hours in between Monday and Friday.  Each Monday feels like starting at the bottom of a descending elevator…and Friday is at the top.  I usually end up having to work evenings or on weekends to make up for short days.

This week I wanted to get solid hours early in the week so I could get finished a little early on Friday to be free for some family activities. Monday and Tuesday…didn’t go as planned. Monday morning, I made it in a little late to work and that evening had to leave to do meal prep.  Tuesday morning started smoothly; I got to work a full hour earlier than I had planned, which made me happy.  But then I realized I forgot my phone and had to make a trip back to my apartment.  It all compounded.  Not only had I made a mistake by forgetting my phone, but I also hadn’t planned aheadfor the week, which I could have foreseen was going to be busy.

I found myself asking God to give me wisdom about the week: “Maybe I shouldn’t be in the spot that I am, but I am. How should I proceed given where I am?” Then a question flashed through my head, “Should I be asking for help from God to cover something that really is my fault? Aren’t I presuming a little bit?  Shouldn’t I take the hit for this?”

This passage, highlighted in Chapter 4 of Gentle and Lowly, came to mind:

Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus is our great high priest, sympathizing with our weaknesses, and giving grace and mercy.  Are situations like mine one of the situations that this passage is talking about?

I’m a perfectionist, which makes me how hard on myself in almost everything I do. I put myself under such a constant level of stress that it has grown to feel normal…so normal I often don’t realize that it is there. But it is. When I mess up, I beat myself up, wondering how to prevent this from happening again?  

Should this be my reaction? Does Jesus want me to go to him in my failures and weaknesses instead of beating myself up?  Does Jesus want me to take his easy yoke instead of my stressful one of trying not to mess up again? Yes, He does! What lessons can be learned from mistakes are best learned resting in the gracious arms of Jesus, rather than alone in my own, unmerciful hands.