Today's Devotional

 

February 19, 2008

                                                                                         

Subject:  The Joy In Sharing Your Pain

2 Corinthians 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. "

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I know a couple of men in my age group who are presently undergoing some tough times in their personal lives.  The hardships they are enduring mirror much of what I've experienced in previous parts of my life.  As I shared with one old-time friend yesterday, it really does finish the cycle of learning to be able to share my past hurts with someone who has present tribulations and trials.  Isn't that the whole purpose of our pains in the first place?

I realize that God is growing us and teaching us when the storms of life hit, but that's only part of the picture.  He wants us to grow in that situation and then be prepared to share the lessons we've learned with others who will undergo similar or sometimes the same circumstances.  Of course you could do like my friend did and pay thousands of dollars to a therapist so that the therapist can ask you how everything makes you feel or you could simply understand that God is preparing you to be a comfort to someone who will need it.

Today, someone needs to hear a word from you about how you were able to "overcome" your past issues of life.  There is joy for you in sharing your pain and not just for you, but for those whom you will comfort in their trials.      

Carlen