“Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:6 (NLT)
Everyone is going to face problems and difficulties in life. God will give you all the grace you need to endure those hard times. But he also wants you to be willing to use your experiences to help other people. God doesn’t want you to waste your hurt!
The Bible says, “Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer” (2 Corinthians 1:6 NLT).
Did you know that God sometimes allows you to go through problems for the benefit of other people? He may let you go through a period of darkness, depression, or discouragement so that you can comfort others with the same comfort he gives you.
In fact, your greatest life messages always come out of your weaknesses, not your strengths.
Who can better help somebody who’s in recovery for alcoholism than somebody who’s also walked through recovery? Who can better help somebody who is going through the pain of a divorce than someone who has healed from divorce? And who can better help the parent of a seriously ill child than another parent who’s experienced the same heartache?
The things in your life you wish you could change are often the very things God wants to use to help you grow in spiritual maturity and as a ministry. While God works in you, he also wants to work through you to help others.
The Bible says that love never gives up. It is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. Love considers other people. Love turns other people’s problems and needs into your problems and needs. Love looks at other people like God sees them and gives them what they need, not what they deserve.
That’s what Jesus did. He suffered all kinds of problems and shame and went to the cross—not for his benefit but for our salvation. Follow his example, and use your hurt to help others.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
How has someone used their painful experience to help you walk through a similar experience?
What is a deep hurt or difficulty in your life that could be your ministry to other people?
Why is it important to see others as God sees them? What does it change about your relationships?
This devotional © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
God sometimes allows you to go through problems for the benefit of other people. Learn how your greatest hurt could become your greatest ministry in today’s #DailyHope devotional.
Rick Warren Bio
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church, one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book The Purpose Driven Church was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created The PEACE Plan to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at PastorRick.com.
Tags
How to Get Through What You’re Going Through – 2023, Spiritual Growth, Adversity, Difficulty, Discouragement, Love, God’s Love, Service, Ministry, 2 Corinthians 1
Broadcast Series: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through – 2023
Sermon Series: TBD
Sermon: TBD
