A young man’s life is so dark, he doesn’t know where to turn, he doesn’t know what to do because of a relational breakup. A lady is distraught because a close family member is seriously ill and is all the way across the country—right before Christmas. A good friend just lost his job, and will likely lose his house—just after the birth of their first child. Christian or not, we all have periods of darkness and despair in our lives. And even those who trust in God through Christ often wonder where he is in those times, or how he can relate.

In an old war movie, a soldier has lost his leg in battle and is recovering in a field hospital. I don’t remember all the details, but he is furious. Furious at his commanding officer standing in front of him who sent him into battle. Furious because he can’t live, he can’t survive like this. This is the reaction in Isaiah 8 of those who “become enraged and, looking upward, curse their king and their God. Yet, Hebrews 4:15 tells us that “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. How in the world can Jesus help with a broken relationship? A loved one walking through the shadow of death? A lost job, home, or limb?

In the movie, the commanding officer was silent throughout this tirade. But at a certain point, he reached down and pulled up his own pant leg to reveal a prosthetic limb. It has been years since I watched this (I will again soon), but all I remember was the silence and understanding from the recently injured soldier. Here he was complaining to someone who had been through the same trial, yet had never once complained. If his leader survived through this, he could too.

What we forget is that Jesus didn’t just lose friend or house or job or limb. He lost his life—for our sakes. And he suffered infinitely beyond what we could imagine by taking the full wrath of God on his shoulders. Jesus suffered through, and conquered death that we might be freed from its power. Now, no matter the circumstance for those who trust in him, we can look to him our guide and counselor, we can look to him who suffered far worse, we can look to him who will walk through our trial with us, and when we can no longer walk, we can look to him who will carry us home.