Christianity Oasis Forum

[LilyWhite]

I had to write something to be put in the program for my graduation ceremony so I thought I would sure it with you all also. So here it is:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affiliation, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:4-5

This set of verses speaks strongly to me and has for the last few years. You are probably sitting there going why these two verses? Out of the whole Bible she picked these? But, growing up and going through the trials and sufferings the Lord planned for me in the short time I have been alive, I realized we can’t really comfort and understand someone else’s problems if we ourselves haven’t experienced struggles and trials. Charles Spurgeon says:
"Many Children of God who go very smoothly to heaven do very little for others. But others of the Lord’s children who have experienced all the ups and downs and changes of mature believers’ lives have done so in order that they may be better equipped to help others. They will be able to weep with those who weep or rejoice with those who rejoice."
I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to help others and make a difference in this world, even if I only help one person. But I can’t do that without God to teach me how. Just like the verse says, I can comfort someone with the comfort God has given me. He has taught me through all the pain how to help others, even though at the time I couldn’t see the good in it. God took what seemed bad in my eyes and made it into something good. Here is a question to think about: Would you willingly suffer if you knew that you would learn something that would help someone else later on down the road meet Christ?

[Gods child]

Hey Lily!GBU! Real good post and yes, dear sis, I would be willing to suffer to help someone else!Thank you for sharing!

[Timothy]

um. Willingly? um. not really. not purposely.

Can't I just give out ((( hugs ))) and everything be ok?

Can't He just learn me what I need to know without the pain?

LilyWhite (and/or others), must I suffer - in order to be able to help someone meet Christ?

Can I *receive* and *believe* in the love and mercy from God and therefore go thru my tials in life without the
suffering, but rather in the rejoycing of the *grace* that I know is mine thru Christ our Lord and share that joy to help
that someone to meet Christ?

Timothy

[1st Timothy 4:12]

as believers, we will suffer. and I would rather help someone and suffer myself then to see them be hurt. you dont have to suffer, but sometimes a hug doesnt work out. no offense to timothy