I feel misunderstood. I am not often surrounded by people who share my disability or have gone through the suffering I have experienced. The media rarely depicts people in my situation or similar situations and when they do it is usually wrong. It makes us appear as innocent, inspirational, and child-like, instead of people who deal with the same struggles. People who mess up and need forgiveness like everybody else. People who want the same things everyone else has.
Carrying the weight of this falsehood can be difficult. On many occasions, peers come looking for inspiration but when I try to share my pain, they become awkward, ending the conversation. If they are willing to listen, they offer cliches because they misunderstand the sheer pain Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) brings. This feeling of being misunderstood can be utterly consuming. It can be like sitting alone in a shadowy void which cannot be penetrated by others. When I am alone in the void, I look to my savior Jesus Christ and I know I am understood. I know my pain and suffering is fully known.
Christianity teaches God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, became fully human in the person of Jesus Christ. This means God went through the full array of human experience and completely identifies with the human race. The great suffering which Jesus went through means God especially identifies with those who are suffering.
He faced racism as a Nazarene and Jewish man. Jesus was from the village of Nazareth in the region of Galilee in ancient Israel. The people of ancient Israel looked at Galileans as bumpkins and less pure because they lived side-by-side with non-Israelites . As a Jewish man living in the Roman Empire, Jesus would have been seen as strange and atheistic to the Romans because his monotheistic faith did not fit in with the mainstream polytheistic faith of the day.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day consistently tried to discredit him and plotted to kill him which would ultimately succeed. This would have made him feel misunderstood by the people he came to save. One of his closest friends, Judas Iscariot, betrayed him by handing him over to the day’s Jewish religious leaders who handed him over to the Romans who crucified him.
Finally, Jesus went through one of the most brutal and humiliating deaths ever conceived by the human mind—crucifixion. Nailed to a t-shaped wooden structure by iron bolts through his hands and feet, he hung naked covered in his own urine and excrement, beaten to a bruised and bloody pulp, in front of people who mocked and belittled him.
With the sheer amount of pain and suffering Jesus, and therefore God, endured, I know God identifies with my pain and suffering and understands me completely. I don’t fully grasp why suffering and evil exist in my life and the life of the world, but knowing God went through the same suffering and evil I’ve been through reassures me there is some sort of higher plan working towards my good—eith
Please be careful about blaming an entire people for the deeds of a few.
Every people shares in our mammal species strengths and weaknesses.
I agree with you Mr. Matlins. I apologize if my post seemed to imply all the Jewish people played a part in the death of Jesus. This is why I specified in paragraph 5 that it was the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day and the Roman Empire that played a part in his death, not the Jewish people in general. As a Christian, I believe my sin is responsible for Jesus’ death.
While we have never met, I feel like I know you through your father who I have worked with for 20 years. Thank you for sharing both your inspirational words and your deep understanding of Christianity. God bless.
Thank you for sharing Jesus with others Michael. You have and continue to have great impact on the lives of others. This verse and truth came to my heart as I read your post…
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Thank you for your words Mr. Bush.
Thanks Michael for another of your posts that warrants deep reflection. I appreciate your sharing with me.
Thank you for commenting Mr. Hackett, it means so much.
There was nothing offensive in your journal and you shouldn’t have to apologize for rousing biblical truth. I appreciate hearing about your journey and love your world view, Michael. You bless and elevate others from your extraordinary experiences.
Being raised Catholic I was well aware of Jesus’ history, but until you brought the concept of his understanding of the pain humans face to light, I had not considered.
As my husband’s caregiver, I often hear him express concern about how difficult my life has become. My response is always that it cannot compare to what he is going through. I will gladly share your writing with him, and I know it will bring him comfort to know that Jesus truly understands.
Thank you Michael.
Thank you for your comment Mrs. Gray. I hope it brings comfort to your husband.
Michael –
Your depth of knowledge of scripture is inspiring. We love you and are very sorry for your pain. You have touched so many with your life. Grateful for you and continue to pray for you and your ministry.
Thank you Mr. Mcnally. I appreciate your prayers.
Michael, your perspective continues to impact my life. It has for the last 18 years or so. I’ve shared with your father that not only are you in my prayers, I thank God for knowing you and your family. God Bless you Michael.
Michael, I can’t imagine the pain you feel by being constantly misunderstood. I am afraid I may add to that as I will never be able to know or feel your life experiences. Please know, ignorance aside, that so many people are well intentioned and care deeply about you. Your father shares stories of your great strength of character and appreciation of your family. I share your posts with my family to try and make everyone become a better human being. Perhaps, others with DMD will have better experiences by the posts your share. Thank you for your time and inspiration.
I hate that you feel misunderstood and I thank you for speaking your truth so we can better understand. Please continue to share your pain. Make us uncomfortable. Educate us.help us grow. Also, I wonder if it might be helpful for you to be around others who have experienced life similar to what you have. Sharing your insights, pain, laughter and life experiences together might be helpful to everyone. I love you every day, Michael!
Hi Michael. The Babes are currently doing a Lenten devotional…I believe your Mom has a copy of it. One day speaks of Bread from Heaven. You are my Bread from Heaven. I have known you since you were a bump in your Mom’s tummy. I feel as I have loved you forever. You guide me with your extraordinary words and continue to teach me so very much about our Lord’s love. Thank you for this most beautiful blog. I am beyond grateful to have you and your family in my life.
Michael-we have never met, but in working with your dad-who is one of the finest people I have ever met-I do feel as though I know you. You have always been an inspiration to all of us. You have faced your challenges with bravery and a faith in God that is unshakeable! Thank you for taking the time to create this blog and share your thoughtful and intelligent perspective. May God bless you!