From The Comfort God Gives You Through Your Adversities, You Will Comfort Others
We all face adversities. Many of us who are reading this has faced at least one or more of these: abuse, bullying, sexual assault, neglect, parental divorce, alienation, etc. Some of us faced other adversities such as PTSD, Developmental Trauma, Depression, or other mental illnesses that resulted from the previous adversities we faced. Some of us struggled with cancer, heart disease, or other physical illnesses or injuries. We may also face financial trouble, job loss, tornadoes, fires, floods, or other disasters.
When you face adversity, don’t lose heart. Don’t give up. God is with you. Cast your burdens on Jesus and He will give you peace (Matt 11:28-30, 1 Peter 5:7)
2 Cor 1:3-7 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope is steadfast because we know that you are partakers of the sufferings, so you will also partake of the consolation.”
How do we comfort people who are going through things we never went through? How do you comfort someone with cancer if you never had it yourself? Those who never had cancer don’t understand what cancer is like. Those who had it understands what it is like and when they have been comforted from it, they can comfort others who go through it.
Many of us have been abused and we understand it. We understand trauma where others who never experienced trauma doesn’t understand. We go through it, because it equips us to minister to others who go through it.
Our lives are our testimony. When we share about our sufferings and comfort, it is a testimony to others who are going through it. This is why it is VERY IMPORTANT NOT to keep silent. Our families may want us to keep silent because they don’t want their sins exposed, but silence is the work of the devil. How can you comfort someone or minister to them with silence? This is why we cannot heal with silence. It is God’s design so that He can use us to minister to others.
We may face adversity from our families when we speak out. The scripture says in Matt 10:37 – “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Mark 19:29 – “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.”
Speaking out may cost us our families, but God will richly bless you and the blessing He gives will be far greater. Don’t be silent. Your life is a testimony. Your testimony will bring healing and comfort to others. You will be a great encouragement and support to others. That encouragement and support will have great changes in the lives of others. You are all important. Your testimony is important. When you are suffering, God is with you. God will turn your suffering into a great blessing. I myself can testify to this.
I will keep every one of you in prayer.
Rodney Calmes
