Happy Thursday Saints.
The Kenneth Wuest Translation of 2 Corinthians 1:6 says “IF WE ARE BEING HARDPRESSED FOR REASON OF AFFLICTION, IT IS FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR CONSOLATION, ENCOURAGEMENT, DELIVERANCE, AND PRESERVATION. IF WE ARE BEING CONSOLED AND ENCOURAGED, IT IS FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR CONSOLATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT.”
When we think of God using us, we don’t often think about how he can use the pain and suffering that we’ve experienced in the past.
The Apostle Paul saw some of his afflictions as experiences that God can use to bring consolation and encouragement to others.
Empathy is simply the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Without it, your efforts to comfort and encourage others can seem cold, unloving and without compassion. Without it, your ministry can come across as judgemental and condemning.
Very often, when people are faced with difficult circumstances, they can’t see a way out. They are overwhelmed with hopelessness. The consolation and encouragement that the Lord gave you, is the hope that you now have to give to others. You can help PRESERVE them until the Lord DELIVERS them through their hardship.
Some of the situations you faced in the past were FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS. Let God use your experience to bless and support those who need it most.
Have a great day. God bless and lots’a love,
Warren
