Sometimes feel misunderstood no matter how often you explain yourself? Convinced you’re not “getting through” to the people around you? Doing the best you can and still it seems to be “not enough”?

Here is comfort: Jesus walked the same way before you.  

I Peter 2: 21. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps…

Here are some examples:

People constantly demanded his attention.

Matthew 12: 14-15. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.

Matthew 19: 2. And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them all.

Mark 1: 45. [After the leper was healed] But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter. 

Even those closest to Him did not “know” Him.

Matthew 13: 10. [after the parable of the sower]. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

Matthew 15: 16. Are ye also yet without understanding?

Matthew 24: 25. Behold, I have told you before.

Mark 6:6. And he marveled because of their unbelief.

John 14: 5-10. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus said unto him, have I been so long time with you, and yet thou hast not known me Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the father: and how sayest thou then Shew us the father?

People scorned Him.

Matthew 9:23-24. And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

When faced every day with the same challenges, how did Jesus deal with the people around Him?

He went to the temple.

Luke 4: 16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up for to read.

He prayed.

Mark 1: 35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

He spent time alone.

Luke 5: 16. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

He committed himself to God and forgave His enemies.

I Peter 2: 23 Who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

This final point is perhaps the most important to consider.

Romans 12: 19-21 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

I Peter 3: 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Dealing with a difficult person? Stop arguing, explaining, defending yourself. He’s not listening anyway. Overcome her with good. Pray for him. If you can think of no words to pray, simply say, “Lord, have your will in his life.” 

Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, in every plight. Prayer is the open door which none can shut. Devils may surround you on all sides, but the way upward is always open, and as long as that road is unobstructed, you will not fall into the enemy’s hand. Prayer is never futile. You may not always get what you ask, but you shall always have your real wants supplied. Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of God is open. ~C.S. Lewis