Hebrews 4:15 English Standard Version (ESV) 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.

Do wwe think about Christ as being sympathetic or do we think of Him as being demanding?

He is the Lord of our lives, He abides in us and has the right to do as He wills in accordance with the Father’s plans for our lives, like it or not. There is something in acknowledging His power over us that leaves us feeling like He is a ruler first and a friend second.

Well He knows how we feel about that too because He has had that very experience Himself. He ran every gambit of emotions we do but He did not give in to them. Giving into our weaknesses is allowing sin to have control that it does not deserve. Christ earned that right, sin lost it at the Cross.

Wwe are still in this world dealing with the doubts that come with being human, that imperfect form which is powerless to know what to do right. Doubt leads to insecurity and with that we can doubt our own performance but we should not allow that to doubt His.

Philippians 2:13 English Standard Version (ESV) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do we know what verse 2:14 says without looking?

Stop complaining and do not doubt.

Reason this out. If God takes pleasure in what He has done in us it is tied to His great love for us which He has already proved. Our feelings on the matter had nothing to do with His will, His love, His mercy and His grace. That might not feel very sympathetic at the moment so we have to trust that God knows what is best for His children.

I no longer know the taste of gall since my gallbladder has been removed.

Be grateful for what the Lord has removed from our lives.