The God Who Sees: Suffering, Trauma, and the Nearness of the Lord

The Bible meets suffering not with clichés but with the God who sees, speaks, and saves.

God sees and stays

• Hagar’s testimony (Genesis 16). In the wilderness, she names the LORD, “You are a God of seeing” (16:13). The Lord attends to the unseen and mistreated.

• Presence in the waters (Isaiah 43:2). “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” God does not promise a life without floods, but His presence within them.

• Nearness to the broken (Psalm 34:18). “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

God comforts and redeems

• The Father of mercies (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). He is “the God of all comfort, who comforts us… so that we may be able to comfort” others. Comfort received becomes comfort shared.

• Not abandoned (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). “Afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.” Scripture validates complexity—hurt can be deep and hope still real.

• The sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:15–16). Jesus “sympathize[s] with our weaknesses.” We therefore “draw near… to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

• Ultimate healing in Christ (1 Peter 2:24). “By his wounds you have been healed.” The cross assures us that the deepest human wound—sin and separation—has been decisively addressed.

• A love that holds (Romans 8:38–39). “Nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Practices for sufferers and friends

• Name and notice (Gen 16:13; Ps 139:23). Write what God sees: wrongs suffered, fears felt. Ask Him to “search me… and know my heart.”

• Presence over platitudes (Job; Rom 12:15). When others suffer, prioritize compassionate presence—“weep with those who weep”—over quick explanations.

• Receive and relay comfort (2 Cor 1:3–4). Keep a simple record: How God comforted me this week → Who I can comfort.

• Pray Hebrews 4:16. Approach the throne boldly each day: ask specifically for today’s “grace to help.”

Reflection questions

• Where do you most need to hear, “I will be with you”?

• Who could receive comfort from you this week that mirrors the comfort you’ve received?

Prayer

God who sees, draw near. Heal what is broken, steady what is shaken, and let Your unfailing love hold us fast. Amen. (Gen 16:13; Ps 34:18; Rom 8:38–39)