As a missionary served in Estonia, many deaf people received salvation in Jesus. The new believers began praying fervently for the ability to hear, and, miraculously, two were healed! But then, as the missionary recalls, “Immediately these two brothers were on the outside of the deaf community.” That’s when the remaining deaf believers in Jesus recognized their deafness was a gift—something that allowed them to reach a segment of society in a personal way.

Deep struggles do something to you—they initiate you into the community of the scarred. My wife and I have discovered this also. Having struggled to have a family with no success, and having shared our story in a book, we’ve entered a new community of people who seem more open than ever to discover the Source of our strength. Empathy alone doesn’t qualify you for entry into this group, only personal suffering does—only scars.

The resurrected Jesus has scars in His hands (John 20:27). These scars assure the community of believers that He truly knows and understands our suffering (Hebrews 4:15). Paul wrote that Jesus’ resurrection power is available now, not just when we die (Philippians 3:10); and he stated that he wanted to suffer with Christ too, “sharing in his death” (Philippians 3:10) for the sake of the church (Colossians 1:24). Biblical Christianity holds both resurrection power and suffering together in this life. Until our literal resurrection from death, our own suffering can be powerfully redeemed into service to others in the community of the scarred.

Do you see your own suffering as a failure of faith, or as an opportunity for faith? Look to Jesus. He’s revealed how suffering can honor God and even be a help to others.

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 2:1-12