It is God’s will for us to reach out, lift up and walk alongside one another in order to bring hope and healing to those that are lost and in pain.
By Anne Marie Molster
During one of my darkest moments of suffering, I sought compassion from others. My spirit cried out day and night to be understood in the depth of my pain. I had been blindsided time after time until I was brought to my knees. One loss after another had consumed the life I once knew, leaving much of what was left behind unrecognizable. I didn’t understand how so much devastation could happen in such a short period of time. So much that it caused me to feel crippled in the strength I once stood in.
I looked around for guidance, for wisdom, for anyone or anything that could offer me peace amidst the turmoil that was seemingly chasing me. Although surrounded by many, I felt desperately alone. For those that reached out didn’t understand and those that did understand, did not reach out.
A common practice throughout history has been to remain silent, burying our pain within and sweeping it under the rug. We are taught to press forward and to not look back on what reminds us of the past. While it is true that God asks us to not dwell on the past, keeping our eyes on His promises of a future – it is often forgotten that He also instructs us to use our experiences to reach out to others so that they are enabled to move forward as well.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NIV
Many times we become overly focused on where we want to be and we do not take into consideration those that are being left behind in the muck and mire that we once stood in.
Through the understanding of another’s circumstances, we are able to directly relate to their feelings. When we acknowledge those feelings, they are then encouraged and feel comforted knowing that they are not alone. Unfortunately, so often when we witness another who is suffering, our initial reaction is to merely sympathize and move on. For many, this response is acceptable due to their lack of experience in what the other has faced. But, there still remains a number of us who quickly turn a deaf ear to the cries of those who desperately want to be heard because we do not wish to relive what once caused us this all too familiar pain. Although recounting our past requires us to face this pain, the Lord exchanges our focus from one of pain to one of victory. Through the lens of victory we can share our testimony with peace and strength, transferring the same peace and strength to the ones weakened in their battle.
As we are able to be more compassionate to one another in our suffering, we are also empowered by one another to be greater stewards of hope to the many witnesses who will eventually need this very hope to navigate out of their own valley. It is God’s will for us to reach out, lift up and walk alongside one another in order to bring hope and healing to those that are lost and in pain. In this way we are becoming more Christlike in our purpose on the Earth.
“And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:2-4 NIV
God did not promise us a life without suffering, but instead a peace in knowing that He has already conquered the world. Through Him, we are promised this same victory. As you consider reaching out to another who you know is hurting, realize your past pain will be transformed into your purpose. Rather than fanning the flames of pain, a passion within you will be ignited to bring glory to God, victory to many and defeat to the enemy.
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33 NLT
We need to also recognize that we are not to consider those that have walked through these painful experiences as lost, weak or less than, but instead as strong and courageous. We need to be thankful for those willing to bare their souls and share their story, because without them many of us would continue on in our long suffering without full healing and restoration. Instead, we are filled with hope as they powerfully speak their personal testimony as a prophecy of victory over our very lives.
“I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,” 1 Timothy 1:18 NIV
Anne Marie Molster is a wife and mother of two daughters who shares the heart of the Lord through her prophetic writing. After standing strong in her faith through many seasons that could have easily defeated her, her passion is to give hope to others by showing God's deep compassion for His children while instilling the belief that they can do anything through Christ who strengthens them. She prays that they will find great faith in what is unseen, rather than what is seen in the natural. Through her testimony and the many signs and wonders that Anne Marie has experienced, she wants others to see God as their Father in Heaven who is constantly working on their behalf, working all things for the good of those who love Him.
annemariemolster.wordpress.com
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