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Oswald Chambers makes the point in one of his writings
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that "If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a
multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all, they are meant
to make you useful in His hands."
If we have never experienced being in trouble and being
comforted by God, how can we hope to pass on God’s comfort to others?
I once heard a story of a woman who had lost a child
under extremely tragic circumstances. Later she started a support group for
parents who had gone through similar situations. After a speaking
engagement, she was approached by a woman who said, "I wish I could speak
like you do and minister to all these people."
Her reply was a question, "Are you willing to first go
through the pain and suffering I have gone through?"
No one wants to go through pain and suffering. Jesus certainly didn't
want to go through a trial and crucifixion. Remember the night he spent in
the Garden of Olives? He really, really didn't want to go through with it.
But in the end He accepted His Father's will and went forward to a cross AND
a resurrection.
When pain and suffering come our way, we usually try to run from it
as fast as we can. But when it comes, there is no
running away, except to Jesus. He has been there. He will comfort us. And, later, with His
comfort we can then comfort others. |