Today's scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
I would give a lot to live without constant pain and fatigue. I would love to
wake up one morning and feel well. It would be a pretty amazing thing …
But that doesn’t seem to be God’s plan. Oh, I’ve prayed for healing. Others
have as well. And I believe with all my heart that God could take my pain away, but for reasons known only to Himself, He
does not.
So, since He hasn’t healed my earthly pain, I’ve had to make a choice: wallow
in the pain or see a greater purpose in it. And I choose the latter.
That’s why I love verses like today’s. There is a purpose in pain. For me, one
purpose is that it keeps me focused on God. I know I can’t handle it on my own.
Those mornings when I wake up and it’s all I can do to even get out of bed? I
immediately ask the Lord for strength, just to get through that day. And He
does.
The other purpose is that I’m able to comfort others who deal with health
issues. I can offer a shoulder or a hug. I can give advice based on my own
experience. I can pray with them and for them.
There’s nothing quite like having someone who’s experienced something similar
to what you’re going through. While my wonderful husband loves me and wants to
help me, he really doesn’t “get it.” And I’m glad he doesn’t because I wouldn’t
want him to live with the pain I do.
So when I need a bit of comfort myself, I tend to gravitate to others who can
empathize. To those who say—and mean it—“I know what you’re going through.” Not
a pity party, mind you … just a feeling that I’m not on this journey alone.
Yes, I’d love to be pain-free. But since I’m not, I can feel blessed because I
know God is using my pain.
It’s not just about physical pain. Whatever you’ve experienced—abuse,
infertility, divorce, addiction—God can use that experience to help and comfort
others. You can directly impact the lives of those who are on similar paths to
your own.
And that’s one of the greatest blessings.
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