Monday, August 18, 2014

By: Gwen Hitt

Hope in our Discomfort

2 Corinthians 1:4 "God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others."

I recently viewed a short video clip of my young grandson joyfully proclaiming that his new chair is so COMFORTABLE. As I listened to the excitement in his voice, I began to think of how we often face situations that are not very COMFORTABLE. In fact, in these times, we experience great DISCOMFORT.

Today's verse encourages us to use these bad times to bring COMFORT to others. I can remember the comfort that I received from a total stranger at the visitation of my 19 year-old baby brother after he was killed in a tragic car accident on Christmas morning 28 years ago.

I never did learn which of my family members drew him to the funeral home, but this man assured me that I would get through this because he had suffered the tragic accidental death of his young son. I can still remember the hurt in his eyes, BUT.... in his pain, he was able to give me something that I needed at that moment. He offered a beacon of hope that maybe my family could survive this ordeal as well.

If this man had not gone through what we were going through, his words would have only been words of sympathy. He would not have been able to truly project EMPATHY - the ability to put himself in our situation because he had also endured that same type of pain and suffering.

My challenge to you today is to allow the darkest times in your life to become a ministry to help others - a way to shed light for them to find a path through the deep recesses of their pain. As much as I would like to see my grandson ALWAYS experience the "comfortable" chair moments, I understand that he will encounter bumps on his life's journey.

In fact, John 16:33 states that ALL of us will experience similar bumps or even POTHOLES--- "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." It is important to note that the ending of this verse provides our HOPE.....through Jesus' pain and suffering HE will be able to empathize with ANYTHING we face!

Dear Lord, You tell us in Psalm 34:18 that You are near to the brokenhearted and save the crushed in spirit. I ask that You help me to always be an open vessel for Your use ... even in my times of great pain.  

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection:  Are there areas of your life that could possibly provide the hope that others are so desperately searching for in their distress?