I am Seen

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Genesis 16:13

Have you ever felt rejected or mistreated? Hurt or forgotten? Have you ever been in a situation so painful you just want to run away? All you want is for someone to come alongside you and to be seen. Instead you just feel lonely and abandoned.

When I was 15, I remember sitting on the steps of an old disused building thinking what was the point? I was being bullied so much and I was trying to process what I had been through when I was younger. I was getting threats from other children wanting to beat me up after school. None of the teachers ever noticed what I was going through.

I remember sitting on those cold steps with a piece of glass in my hand and I just wanted to end it. I had a connection with this building. It was abandoned and derelict and no use for anyone. I felt like a little child so lost and worthless.

As I sat there contemplating what to do, I remember feeling I wasn’t on my own. I felt God was there with me pulling me from those steps and telling me to go home.

I felt seen.

In Genesis chapter 16, Sarai was mistreating Hagar so much that she couldn’t take anymore. As a result, Hagar felt so distressed that she ran away to the desert. Whilst she was in the desert, God had seen what she was going through. He met her where she was a guided her back home.

This God is able to see people in every situation, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. Especially when we are at our lowest. God is still the same today as He was with Hagar. He never changes. I have felt this on a number of occasions. He can do the same for you too.

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Something to think about…

Why not have a go at personalising Genesis 16:13 and re-write in your own words what you feel God is saying to you. You could also use my version and change to your own name. 

Lynne, I have seen you. I see you in every situation you are in. You are not alone. I have plans to bless you because of what you have suffered.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on today’s Bible affirmation then why not catch up on my other thoughts for previous days.