Our Pain Can Become Our Testimony

2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 tells us, "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". (NIV, emphasis added)

What a wonderful promise the Lord gives us in this verse, that He can use our pain to comfort those who are also hurting not because we as humans automatically know how to do that but because God first showed us His comfort. When we're looking for a good role model in our lives we need not look any further than Christ. He is the ultimate role model! He is and will only ever be the perfect example of how to live our lives. That's a pretty high bar Christ set, and here's the thing, God doesn't expect perfection from us! God knows we'll never be able to live up to that expectation because of sin we will always fall short. There are many examples within the Bible of godly figures who have fallen short time and time again. King David who was a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13: 14, Acts 13: 22) fell short many times throughout his life, and each time when David confessed his shortcomings God forgave him. My friends, let us not lose hope in thinking we have to be perfect to come before God. He does not require perfection from us, He does require that will come with the willingness to progress. Progression, not perfection.

My friends, I come to you with comfort because I first knew the comfort Christ has to offer. For anyone hurting, I am truly sorry for the pains that you are facing. I do not know what it is that you are facing or how long you have been dealing with this pain, what I do know is that Christ can take that pain and turn it into a testimony. My friends, we can help others who are facing similar pains and even find our own healing and restoration through helping others. You do not have to continue to live in this pain, give it to the Lord and allow Him to transform you. Seek help, there is nothing wrong with asking for help. In our culture, we are taught that needing help is a sign of weakness. I disagree, asking for help is a sign of strength, and it shows you're not willing to give up.

It takes a lot to carry our burdens around, think about how much lighter you'd feel when you can learn to work through and heal from what's weighing us down. I have! And I will continue to work through my deep hurts around my abortion because I deserve that. Through the death and resurrection of Christ, I can boldly walk into freedom from my greatest sin(s) because He paid the price (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 6:23, John 3:16-18).

My friends, it is my prayer that you would experience the healing Christ offers each and every one of us. He wants to take your burdens because only He can handle them. As 1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us, "Therefore humble yourselves under the might hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all of your care upon Him, for He cares for you".

Lord, I thank you that you willingly take our burdens simply because you care for us. Lord, without you, we would be lost in our burdens. Lord, I lift up those who are in need and hurting. I pray that your love and grace would consume the hurting and turn their mourning into dancing. Lord, you are a good, good father and we thank you for that! Amen.