No one understands me

DORIVA came to Spain to join Celta Vigo after playing with Porto and Sampdoria, having also taken part in the 1998 Football World Cup in France on the Brazilian national team.

In the 2002-2003 season, he signed for Middlesbrough. Though an extraordinary player, this was not always evident, simply because the coach often left him on the bench.

A Christian, Doriva understood what not playing meant; he made it his mission to share with those who suffer, saying, "When you are on the bench, you can better understand and help others in the same situation".

I'm sure things have happened to you this year that you did not understand. More than once youhave felt lonely without knowing why. I bet youhave even said those famous words: "No one understands me".

It may not seem such a big deal now, but you have been through bad times. Things do happen that we just cannot understand.

Above all, we know that whatever happens, God is with us. We also know that sometimes our experiences enable us, in turn, to help others.

You may say: "But why should I want to help others? If only you knew what I'm going through!" OK; we all like to be helped and comforted. But isn't it selfish to let someone suffer alone when we have been in their shoes?

That is not an easy thing to do, but we need to try. Everything we have gone through helps us comfort and encourage others who are in the same situation.

All the problems we have already overcome teach us lessons that others also have to learn. If you are suffering now, maybe God can use you some day to comfort, help and teach me.

One last thing: the most important part of a relationship between relatives, friends, or Christians is understanding. Can you understand someone if you do not know what is happening?

God is so wise! He sometimes allows us to go through hard times so that weaker people do not. If you are suffering now, try to learn as much as you can. I may need your wisdom tomorrow.