Several years ago when my follicular lymphoma (cancer) was first diagnosed, I participated in a cancer clinical trial. It included the best of the standard (protocol) chemo treatment along with a special agent—a monoclonal antibody called Rituxin.
Recently a friend who is also battling follicular lymphoma received Rituxin as part of her standard treatment. In some small way my clinical trial answered some questions that helped pave the way for her treatment today.
It’s true. The tough stuff we go through can be used by God to help others. Paul wrote, “[God] comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others” (2 Corinthians 1:4). So the trials you’re facing today are preparing you for someone’s tomorrow. There’s purpose in your pain!
To know these truths can truly encourage our hearts when we’re up against it. Realizing that God Himself is comforting and rescuing us (2 Corinthians 1:4,10) allows us to confidently, worshipfully, take another step toward healing and helping (2 Corinthians 1:3). It’s so important then, as we’re facing difficulties, to focus our eyes in two areas: On God—Paul proclaimed, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). On others—“When we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you” (2 Corinthians 1:6). Getting our eyes off ourselves and onto others is vital to our spiritual health.
Whether we face illness, relationship pain, persecution for our faith, or other trying circumstances—some even “beyond our ability to endure” (2 Corinthians 1:8)—the comfort of God will meet us where we are. The hope, peace, love and joy that He provides can then be generously shared.
God comforts us so that we can comfort others.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 8:22-9:1
More:
Read Psalm 145:18-19 and note what is required of us to experience the presence of God and His comforting ways.
Next:
How has God comforted you? What have you gone through that can be used by God to comfort others? What comfort will you bring someone today?
Adetunji Adeyemi Michael on July 22, 2012 at 12:53 pm
I love this message so much; it’s truly comforting. Hallelujah!
jennifer benson schuldt on July 22, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Tom,
Thanks for this message! It is encouraging to think that God can and does use the trouble in our lives to help other people. It’s impossible to know how/when He will do this, but it’s exciting to realize “He’s using it!” when it does happen. : )
May the LORD bless you this week!
daisymarygoldr on July 22, 2012 at 10:54 pm
God comforts us ‘in’ all our troubles not by taking us ‘out’ of troubles. And when my suffering increased His comfort also increased. Only when we are pounded, we become malleable in order for God to convert us into channels of His comfort and use us to console others.
Tom, actually the way you are responding to your trouble is in itself a powerful testimony of God’s comfort in your life. It comforts me to know God is always present with His children right there ‘in’ the midst of our fiery trials. May God continue to comfort you so you can share His comfort with others.
kips1 on July 23, 2012 at 11:48 am
Thank you for sharing,we can really do all things through christ who strengthes us philipians 4:13
winn collier on July 24, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Tom, thank you for allowing us into your own story, to remember that suffering is not the end. That God works life through our sorrows, even as he did with Jesus.
bineth on July 24, 2012 at 9:38 pm
I’d like to echo what you said, that “It’s true. The tough stuff we go through can be used by God to help others.” I, too, am recovering from cancer and went through 16 gruelling sessions of chemotherapy. A church friend who went through this a couple of years ago was with me at every step of my journey to help me and encourage me. And now I am doing the same for another friend who is not a Christian. As I speak to her I try to introduce God’s Word to her as well, and I pray that His word will not return to Him void. Just this morning I spoke with her and she mentioned that we are both “too young to suffer”. I told her that we suffer for a reason. And you just never know how God will make use of that suffering to bless others!
Terrence Simon on August 23, 2012 at 5:27 am
Dear Tom,
I just love this message its really awesome one, It just remind me what ever pain we are undergoing now will help us to stay strong in Jesus.
Might be we are travelling in the broken roads but remember our jesus waiting for us…..
Thanks
tom felten on August 23, 2012 at 9:38 am
Yes, Terrence. Our pain has purpose. It can drive us to a closer relationship with God and an understanding of His comfort. And, by His grace, it also helps us to be better equipped to help others who are hurting! We do travel broken roads, but we are never alone—praise God.
Terrence Simon on August 23, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Thanks Tom for your reply.
Terrence Simon on August 23, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Dear Tom,
I’m admiring at you. even though you have lot of pains in your life but yet you are keeping going with passion for Christ but I’m blessed with all the good things but doing sins everyday.
tom felten on August 23, 2012 at 2:26 pm
It’s all by God’s grace, Terrence. And His grace is sufficient for whatever we face in this life (2 Corinthians 12:9).