2 Corinthians 1:3-7
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.
When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation. If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I have just finished reading an amazing book…The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. Supposed to be a true account of the author’s childhood, this harrowing story will leave you frustrated in one moment, angry the next, and even laughing from time to time. I don’t want to spoil the story for you, but let’s just say that this woman and her siblings grew up in a situation of poverty, filth, and neglect that will astound you… and hopefully give you a new perspective on those you meet who appear to be in similar circumstances.
The author and her siblings did all they could to mask the fact that they were dirty, disheveled, and dressed in tatters. Ms. Walls manages to make it to college, and she is arguing in one class about the plight of the homeless. Based on her childhood and the fact that her parents are now homeless by choice, she tries to make the point that things are not always as they seem… and perhaps the homeless sometimes “get the lives they want”. The instructor asks, “What do you know about the lives of the underprivileged? What do you know about the hardships and obstacles that the underclass faces?” In an effort to hide her true identity, the author replies, “You have a point.”
My point is that we all have made up our minds, to a degree, about other people. We have looked at others and made judgments, based on appearance, their behavior, or our own hard-and-fast opinions about certain things. Sometimes, it takes “getting knocked down a peg or two” for us to become empathetic to others’ circumstances. I’m not saying God causes this… but I do believe He allows it. So often, we are full of what we think is good advice for others… until we walk a mile in their shoes. Or we neglect those around us who are in need, because we have not shared their experiences and don’t have a clue what they are feeling… but we have deemed them to be unworthy of our time and attention.
I have shared over and again several instances where I faced something that God saw me through… and then I was able to help someone else with a similar experience. I will tell you that I did not always recognize God’s presence as profoundly as I should have… nor did I clearly see how He could ever use some of my experiences to help others. But I am learning NEVER to question God… or the things that happen in my life. More importantly, I’m learning to continually ask, “What are you showing me, LORD? How will you use this… and me… for your glory?”
If you want to put this in perspective, take a few minutes and make a list of some things that have happened to you throughout the years. Then think back over the events and look at how God stood by you… how He blessed you and cared for you. Maybe He sent someone to encourage or comfort you. Maybe He orchestrated things in amazing perfection, even in the midst of what seemed like an impossible situation. Now think about how you have been able to use those same experiences to help someone in a similar position. Have you “paid it forward?”… or have you missed some opportunities to do this? Have you truly noticed those in your midst who need your assistance?
Paul tells us that suffering for Jesus brings benefits… and opportunities to bless others in His name. Our job is to take advantage of all of these… to make the most out of every experience, with God’s help. As Paul says, when we do this, we are unstoppable… there is no doubt that we are going to make it! Look around… see where God is walking beside you – and giving you valuable experience that you can use for His glory. Don’t be ashamed of your past experiences… use them to encourage and bless others. In the end, Ms. Walls has done exactly this by writing her story. Others will surely gain a different perspective on those who appear less fortunate. I know I did.
What is God calling you to share with others today?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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