Positive side of trials

I share this quite frequently with those who are walking through times of trial.

The positive side of a trial is that you and I understand and can empathize with those who walk through the same adversities that we have.

If you have gone through a divorce - you can more readily identify and minister to those who have walked through a divorce.

If you have lost a loved one to death - you can more readily identify and minister to those who have lost a loved one.

If you have gone through a life threatening illness and come out healthy - you can more readily identify and minister to those who have been ill with a terrible disease.

Someone once said, "before God makes preeminent use of a man - he always puts him through the fire."

And then A.W. Tozer agrees:  It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply. 

There is a scripture (that I hope will encourage you today) found in 1 Samuel 30:6.

King David and his men had reached Ziklag.  The Amalekites had just attacked Ziklag and burned it to the ground, taking captive the women and all who were in it, both young and old. 

David and his men wept, the Bible says, in fact they wept so much they had no strength left to weep.

David's two wives had been captured.

And 1 Samuel 30:6 says this:  David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters.  But David found strength in the Lord His God."

While there is a "positive" to our trials, please know that God's hand is in your heartache today.

And....look around you for someone to reach out to who is walking through the same thing.  We are blessed to be a blessing.

Just a thought for a Thursday.