When You Feel Unseen: Remembering the God Who Sees You

Have you ever felt unseen? Like you are struggling with something that no one understands? I have been feeling this way lately as I navigate through some difficult waters in my life. The tears run freely down my face as I ask, “Lord, are You there? What am I supposed to do?”

A few weeks ago, during worship, one of our elders shared a beautiful story from the Bible that has brought me some comfort. It is the story of Nathanael, found in John 1:44–51.

“Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.

‘Come and see,’ said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’

‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’

Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’”

— John 1:44–49

What catches my attention is that Jesus saw Nathanael before Philip ever called him.

I think of this like those moments when you stumble upon your children while they are playing or singing to themselves. Instead of barging in and interrupting, you quietly watch for a few moments, soaking in the beauty of them simply being themselves—unaware that anyone is watching and unafraid of what anyone thinks.

I don't know exactly what Nathanael was doing under that fig tree, but I love imagining that Jesus saw him there—saw him before Nathanael even realized he was being seen.

And isn't that how our Savior sees us?

He sees us before we call out to Him. He sees the things no one else sees. He knows the thoughts we don't know how to put into words. He sees us when we feel completely alone.

But God doesn't just promise to see us. He promises to stay with us.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

He is with us, and He sees us.

This brings me comfort as I work through my own struggles.

He sees me, even when I feel far away. He sees me, even when I feel alone. He sees me, even when I don't know what to do.

And He will never leave me.

He will never abandon me.

My problems don't necessarily become smaller, but they don't seem quite as overwhelming when I remember that Jesus is beside me in the middle of them.

He isn't standing at a distance, waiting for me to clean up the mess before He comes near. He is there with me—in the muck and the mire. He doesn't leave when things get hard or messy.

We see this again and again throughout Scripture.

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat was facing an army that was far greater than his own. He felt completely powerless. He didn't know what to do.

And his response was:

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

— 2 Chronicles 20:12

Maybe that's where some of us are today.

“Lord, I don't know what to do.”

And perhaps God's answer is not always to immediately show us the next step. Sometimes He simply reminds us: “Keep your eyes on Me.”

The God who sees us is also the God who stays with us.

Hagar discovered this in the wilderness when she encountered God and called Him El Roi—the God who sees me. (Genesis 16:13)

Nathanael discovered that Jesus saw him under the fig tree.

And we can discover the same truth in our own lives: He sees me. He knows me. He is with me. And He will not forsake me.

So, if you are struggling with something today, I hope you find comfort in knowing that Jesus is there.

He sees you from afar.

He sees you when you feel unseen.

He sees you when you are hurting.

He sees you when you don't know what to do.

And He is not afraid of your mess. He will sit with you in the muck and mire and walk through the hard places with you.

So keep your eyes on Him.

He is there.

He sees you.

He is El Roi—the God who sees.

And He always will be.

Father, I know You see me, even when I feel far away. Help me keep my eyes on You. Help me navigate these difficult waters, and remind me that You are my constant and steadfast helper. Give me wisdom and discernment through the hard seasons. Surround me with fellow Christians who will encourage me, strengthen me, and remind me of Your love. Help me remember that I am never unseen and never alone because You are with me.

Amen.