Our Pain, Their Gain

 

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.  - - For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then - - .   

II Corinthians 1:3-7, (Partial)

Ken Stoltzfus, Feb. 4, 2003

 

   There are some "troubles" in this world that I can feel from my insides, and others that I can't. It depends on the extent to which I have "been there and done that".

   We all have experiences that we would reject if we had the choice. Our pilgrimage through them can equip us to help others.

   Every day we mix with people who are hurting in one way or another. People who need help. They want to do better but can't. You can feel their struggle because you've been there, and you could often help them if only you would.

   One of my life-sayings is, "Most of the work of God's kingdom is done by the little people". Nobody knows how often that thought has comforted me in my Christian life and service. It is the faithful Christians who serve God day by day amid their own imperfection, whom God would use to touch the masses. Our fellow students or workers. Neighbors. Or those who come to church week after week and always have the same blah look. All are waiting for someone like you to help them move on.

   Somebody recently described another person to me as "hard". I said she was probably hurt and that she certainly had a soft spot that someone could touch. He chuckled and repeated that she is "HARD!".

   Listen - - every hard front is only that. Everyone has a soft spot and at least periodically they long for someone who is "real", to touch it. Each of us has relationships where we can reach inside persons in a way that others can't. They might not let the pastor near them but for some reason they open themselves to you. Often it is because they sense that we understand, and that is because we have been there.

   We live in a broken world. Even the church itself is not well. None of us has it all together - - not even those who act like they do. How has God instructed or comforted you in a time of difficulty? Where has He brought freedom into your life? He wants you to pass it on!

   We're not talking about "big time", here. Or saying profound things. Or doing something spectacular. You don't have to feel like a "Bible answer man". In fact, if you feel like an expert in regards to someone else's problems, just be quiet. You're not ready to help. If you have a quick fix, keep it to yourself. We're talking about the humble, compassionate coming alongside that gives others hope and can patiently show them the way up because we've been there.

   People are not looking for theory or the, "Alls you have to do is - - ", kind of advice. They want someone who feels what they feel, accepts them in spite of what they feel, and has a sense of what to do with it.

   People are not always ready for help, but everyone is open to the right kind of help at the right time. Jesus' approach was to keep his ear toward the Father as he walked among people, and by the Holy Spirit the Father would let Him see the hearts that were ready. I cherish His words in John 5:19, "I assure you, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does." The Holy Spirit will also show you where He is working, and where He wants you to step forward - - in the right way at the right time.

   So who does God want to touch through you? Maybe it's only the kind of friendship that will soften them a bit, but possibly he would reach deeply into their heart. You may see results and you might not, but you don't have to. Your success is in obedience, not results. You might sow, others water, and still others reap the harvest. But you will know the joy of God's, "Well done!" And it all happened because God met you in your time of need, and you simply passed it on!

   The next time troubles come into your life, trust God that it is something that He will use to further equip you to help others!

 

   Born in 1940, Ken Stoltzfus has worked as a pilot, ordained Christian minister, businessman, missionary to Africa and writer. This is #3 in his series "Snippets from the Good Book", and is one of many short articles that can be found at www.flyinghigher.net

 

Bible quotations are from the New Living Translation, © 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers.

 

© 2003, Ken Stoltzfus, flyinghigher.net, P.O. Box 548, Apple Creek, OH 44606 USA. May be printed for personal use and may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes without further permission if proper acknowledgment is given and a copy is sent to the author.