I’ve Been There ∙∙

I’ve Been There ∙∙

The Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest. He understands our weaknesses. [He is able to sympathize with us.] For He faced all of the same tests and temptations we do, yet He did not sin. – Hebrews 4:15

Hebrews 2:10-18

God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

Because God’s children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

The Power of Shared Experiences

The phrase “I’ve been there” has become a widely recognized English idiom that signifies shared experience and understanding. It conveys the idea that someone has walked a similar path and can empathize with another’s struggles.

Many respected organizations in the US and globally are founded, developed, and led by individuals who have faced tough times, failure, life-altering injuries, addiction, abuse, significant loss, or abandonment. The list is extensive, and here are a few examples:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of America – for at-risk youth
• Celebrate Recovery – for those struggling with addiction, trauma, and more
• Gilda’s Club – for cancer patients and survivors
• GriefShare – for individuals mourning the loss of a loved one
• Prison Fellowship – for incarcerated individuals and their families
• Wounded Warrior Project – for injured veterans

David L. Burrier’s I’ve Been There Ministries was born out of a series of personal life challenges that fostered a deep sense of empathy and sensitivity toward those who are struggling. His mission: to serve and uplift others by sharing messages of hope. As Burrier states, “My life will be a source of inspiration so that whomever I encounter will walk away with a renewed sense of mission and purpose for their life” (ivebeenthereministries.com).

Trusting God Through Life’s Challenges

Life often presents us with challenges and situations that may seem impossible to grasp at the moment. The pressure and weight we carry can feel overwhelming, causing us to ask, “Why?” Still, the Father encourages us to trust in Him, even when the road ahead is unclear. One day, the pieces will come together, and we will understand the greater purpose behind our struggles. Until then, we are encouraged to rely on Him, confident that He will guide us in His intelligent design for our lives.

The Father has done something extraordinary to ensure we are not alone in our struggles. He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to walk among us, to experience life as we do, and to become our ultimate source of comfort and encouragement.

Jesus’ Shared Humanity

While on Earth, Jesus became fully human. As Wiersbe explains, “During His time on Earth, Jesus was ‘made like unto His brethren’ by experiencing the sinless infirmities of human nature. He knew what it was like to be a helpless baby, a growing child, and a maturing adolescent. He experienced weariness, hunger, and thirst (John 4:6-8). He understood what it meant to be despised and rejected, to be lied about and falsely accused. He endured physical suffering and death.”

Jesus’ shared humanity enabled Him to fully understand the struggles and temptations we encounter. He experienced rejection, physical exhaustion, and the sorrow of suffering. Despite these hardships, He remained sinless, offering the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Why Did Jesus Become Human?

Jesus became human not only to empathize with us but also to perform the highest act of love: dying for our sins and freeing us from the enemy’s power. Through His death and resurrection, He offers eternal salvation to all who accept Him. His shared experiences with humanity make Him a compassionate and understanding advocate who can comfort and encourage us in our darkest moments.

The Advocate Who Understands

Stanley writes, “Jesus had to leave heaven and take on human flesh, not only to become our sacrifice but also so He would know experientially exactly what it’s like to be one of us.”

The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, chose to become fully human. He entered the world as a vulnerable baby, relying on others for care. Throughout His life, He faced the same experiences and challenges that all humans encounter. His humanity was not simulated; it was real and tangible.

REFLECT & PRAY

“You get one life. The time will pass anyway. You can either spend it creating the life you want or spend it living the life you do not want. The choice is yours” (anonymous).

Father, thank You for sending the Lord Jesus Christ to share in our humanity to provide eternal salvation. He walked among us and faced the same struggles and temptations we experience, becoming a source of comfort and encouragement for us all. Encourage us to find hope in His example.

INSIGHT

The Savior Who Truly Understands

For all eternity, the Lord Jesus Christ can say, “I’ve been there.” His decision to share in everyday human experiences allows Him to genuinely comprehend our challenges. Because of this, He is especially prepared to help us as we face the struggles and hardships of life. It’s like He’s walking alongside us, feeling the highs and lows of life in real time. The Lord Jesus Christ chose to take on our likeness so that we could, in turn, become more like Him.

Trials: A Tool for Growth and Encouragement

The Father often uses trials to build our character and lead us toward spiritual maturity. However, not all trials are solely about personal development. Sometimes, the challenges we face equip us to encourage and support others who are suffering. Our own experiences of pain and perseverance allow us to come alongside others with genuine empathy, offering them hope and comfort.

Hebrews 2:18: “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”

The Greek word translated as “help,” “aid,” or “succor” is boetheo. This word is derived from boe (a cry for help) and theo (to run). It literally means “to run to assist upon hearing a cry for help.” This imagery beautifully captures the immediacy and compassion of Jesus’ response to our struggles. He does not hesitate or delay; He runs to our aid when we call out to Him to provide what is needed.

Empathy Over Sympathy

The Lord Jesus Christ does not offer superficial or cliché expressions of sympathy, such as the often-heard phrase, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.” Instead, He provides something far deeper: empathy. Because He has experienced the same pain and struggles we face, He can say, “I know your pain, because I have felt pain just like yours. I have been there.”

This deep empathy distinguishes Jesus as our Savior and gentle Shepherd, providing comfort in times of need. His understanding is personal and real, not distant or theoretical.

A Man of Sorrows

The Lord Jesus Christ is described in Isaiah 53:3 as “a man of sorrows” and “acquainted with grief.” He endured rejection, suffering, and unimaginable pain, yet He never gave up. He persevered until His mission was complete, providing the ultimate example of endurance and faithfulness.

Jesus is our consummate “Hope Coach.” His life demonstrates that, because He never gave in or gave up on hope, neither should we. His victory over suffering and sin gives us the courage to keep going, no matter how hard the road may be.

The Champion of Our Faith

The Lord Jesus Christ is our ultimate example and source of strength. He endured the cross, disregarding its shame, because of the joy set before Him, the joy of fulfilling His mission and bringing salvation to the world. His perseverance in the face of hostility and suffering encourages us to remain steadfast in our own struggles.

Hebrews 12:2 explains: We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.

A Savior Who Runs to Our Aid

The Lord Jesus Christ is not only our Savior but also our empathetic Shepherd and Hope Coach. He understands our pain because He has experienced it Himself. He runs to our aid when we cry out, offering comfort, strength, and hope. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He has shown us that victory is possible, even in the face of the greatest trials.

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© Dr. H 2025