“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.” (2 Corinthians 1:6)

If you knew that the pain a friend was facing would lead them to God, would you remove the pain if you were able? If you understood that the heartache of a loved one would result in the salvation of their soul, would you allow it to happen? If you realized that the suffering that you are dealing with right now meant that God would use you to comfort another person, would you refuse to endure it? These are difficult questions but they are important ones to ask. If God is good and can be trusted, doesn’t that mean He has a plan and purpose for everything, even our pain?

I once had a very different life, I was successful measured by the world standards, owned a corporation. Had a wonderful marriage, our children were happy, owned a beautiful home and we were not in any debt. I enjoyed life to the fullest.

One day, without any signs or warnings life was turned upside down because my wife of 15 years decided that she wanted to live a single life and left the children and I.

Life was by no means easy. Our innocent children suffered from abandonment and the loss of everything familiar to them. A few months later I had traumatic brain injury related to a stroke I suffered from all the stress.

There were friends and family who saw it as a tragedy. After all, I had to endure surgeries, and years of therapy and difficulties just to be able think correctly.

There are those in the world who would have looked at my situation and asked “How can a good God exist when someone especially children have to suffer like this.” There’s a problem with that thought; they can’t see God’s full plan. You see, because of my story of hardship, I am able to share comfort with those who have endured similar things. Also, as people hear the amazing story of what God has done in my life, how He sought me out and saved me. How He also gave me a wonderful new wife, new friends and a miracle recovery.

He gets the glory. In the end, my past sufferings (I gave you the short verson) have been used to draw men and women into a relationship with God. That, is worth every moment of pain I endured.

“Every pain in life can find meaning by learning to comfort others.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the trials You have allowed in my life. Help me to patiently endure those hard times so that I can be used to comfort and minister to others in their times of need. Thank you for your presence when I am facing battles. I pray that the wounds I received during these tough times, cause me see and respond to the world more like Jesus did and not how the fleshly side wants to react. I ask that these trials would cause me closer to grow closer to Him. I understand that You something’s let us hurt, knowing that there is beauty and purpose in the pain. Thank you for those pains and for that hurt. Lord God, thank you for the lesson that you will reveal in my trials. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org