Our Experiences Empower Us

I have a friend who just experienced a terrible loss.  My heart aches for her, yet I know that God will bring her through.  He is with her and he is good.  He is faithful and he is loving.  She knows all of this, but her heart is broken.

Maybe, like my friend, you’ve experienced some loss, some grief, some hardship, or some tragedy.  It could be you’re right in the thick of it and your new year has begun with heaviness and heartache.

First, let me say, “I’m sorry”.  I hate that you are hurting.  My heart hurts to see your heart hurting. 

Second, I’d love to share a little encouragement with you, if I could. 

Our trials enhance our ability to serve others.  Our experiences empower us to love in a deeper way.  Our difficulties can make someone else’s load a little lighter.

I know that doesn’t make the hurt you’re feeling any less painful, but it does remind you that God can make it purposeful.  God can use it and use you.  He can bring beauty from the ashes of your circumstances.

Nothing is wasted with God.

Listen to 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NLT says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

The Message version puts it this way, “All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.”

God can use every situation and circumstance in our lives for our good and his glory, if we let him.  He may not take us out of the trial, but he can transform it into a testimony, if we allow him to.

I had another dear friend reach out to me last week about some struggles she was experiencing in her family.  She shared her heart with me and with another friend in a very honest and authentic way. 

We were able to share compassion with her because we’ve experienced the compassion of God.  We were able to share comfort because we’ve felt comfort from the Lord in our own trials.  God was able to use our experiences to empower us toward greater love toward our friend.  Not only were myself and the other friend able to pray for and encourage our friend, we were encouraged ourselves.  We all walked away from the conversation feeling like we’d been ministered to.

Friend, here’s what I know to be true.  In this life we will face many challenges.  Jesus told us this.  John 16:33 NIV says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”.

I also know this to be true.  God will take every trouble and transform them into opportunities for us to experience love, grace, mercy, peace, and even joy through him. 

He is with us in our struggles and he invites us to be with others in theirs. 

Maybe you’re the one hurting.  Turn to Jesus and receive his peace that passes understanding.  Draw from the infinite well of his mercy, love, and compassion.  Rest in his presence and his provision, even in the darkest valleys. 

Turn also to trusted community and let them be a love, support and encouragement to you.  God gave us one another for this very reason.  You aren’t meant to walk alone.

And if you’ve come through the trails, allow God to use what he’s shared with you to be help and hope for others. 

Prayer

Father God, we believe that you are with us in all things.  You never leave or forsake us.  You are with us in our joys and in our trials.  Not only that, Lord, nothing is wasted with you.  You work all things together for our ultimate good and your glory.  You have a plan and a purpose for us.  Use our experiences to empower us. Transform us through our trials.  Help us to be with others in their struggles as you have been with us in ours. 

Amen.

Scripture Meditation

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NLT  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

 Journal Reflection

How are your trials transforming you?  How has God used your experiences to empower you? 

Practice

Take a moment to thank God for the transformation that you have experienced in your trials.  Consider who in your life might be walking through something similar and ask God if there is a way you might come alongside that person to be a help to them.