I Understand. I’ve Been There!

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 ¶ And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” II Corinthians 1:3-7

Going through difficult times is not usually any fun. The occasions are often intended to allow us to see God’s hand of deliverance, get us closer to Him, or perhaps change the direction He wants us to go. They definitely can spiritually strengthen us, as we trust Him more.

The Scripture in II Corinthians 1:3-7 gives us another possible purpose for our hardship. We may have been in the valley of despair so that others, in similar situations, can be comforted that they too can get through the situation, as we had.

We listen to people having difficult times, and nod our head that it is indeed a tough trial, but unless we have been down the same dark road as they, they will not really be consoled.

After I first got saved, I faithfully went out on church-wide soul-winning every Thursday night. The pastor had set it up that no one would go alone, and that we had a partner. Before we left, he often had packets for each pair to take that had addresses of people that he felt needed a visit.  Without looking at the names, my partner or myself would randomly pick up a packet and head out to visit those people.

Without fail, every week, for at least two years, one of those addresses would be a person in a similar trial that I was going through. I would patiently listen to them tell their story, and how hard it was for them.  After listening carefully, I would interrupt them and tell them I knew exactly what they were going through.

Often they would blankly gaze back, and I knew they were probably thinking something like, “Yeah. Yeah. You’re just saying that. You don’t have any idea what I’m going through.”

I would continue, “Yes, I understand, because I’m going through the same thing.” Their eyes would bulge, and they were ready to hear what another survivor in their same boat had to say.  I would tell them the Lord was helping me through the difficulty. I would give God His due glory and give the person examples of how the Lord was helping me get through the hard time and was allowing me to see His hand in many parts of my life.

They were ready to listen to more. I got to witness to many people because of my difficulty, and God always got the glory.  They were able to get some hope that they too could get through the trial, and that God was the one that could help and possibly change the situation.

Over the years of a lot of visiting, I saw how so many of my experiences, bad and good, could give others hope. They certainly learned from my trials that there was another way of handling difficulties than they thought, and that there was a God, and He was willing to help.

Christian, you may never know the full intent of God’s allowing you to go through hard times. It may be for your own edification and growth, but it may also be to show others what He did for you.  People are looking for some help and hope. If you are going through trials and tribulations, do not be discouraged.  Either way God chooses, it will benefit you, and possibly others!