As many physical changes come upon our bodies, whether by genetics, sickness or trauma, too often a sense of worthlessness can come as well unless we fill the void with positive thinking and a knowing that God loves us all the same, nothing lacking. I read a short story a while back that I'd like to share because I believe it will bless and encourage you:
"A store owner was tacking a sign in his store window, which read PUPPIES FOR SALE, when a little boy appeared. “How much are you selling the puppies for?” he asked. The man told the lad he didn’t expect to let any of them go for less than $50. The boy reached in his pocket, pulled out some change, looked up at the store owner and said, “I have two dollars and thirty-seven cents. Can I look at them?” The store owner smiled and whistled. From the kennel, a dog named Lady came running down the aisle, followed by five tiny balls of fur. One puppy lagged behind. Immediately, the little boy asked about the limping puppy. “What’s wrong with that doggie?” The store owner informed him that the veterinarian told him the dog was missing a hip socket and would always limp like that.” The lad said quickly, “That’s the one I want to buy." The store owner replied, “No, you don’t want to buy that dog; If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.” The boy came close to the store owner’s face and said angrily, “I don’t want you to just give him to me; that doggie is worth just as much as all the other puppies and I’ll pay the full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for!” The store owner again replied, “No, no, no. You don’t want that dog. He’s never going to be able to run and jump and play like the other dogs.” In response, the little boy quickly pulled up his pant leg to reveal his badly twisted left leg, supported by two steel braces. “Well, sir,” he said, “I don’t run so well myself and that puppy will need someone who understands and that's me."
While reading this story, I began to see that when God allows us to go through troubles and afflictions, He is preparing us to be an example to others, because you really can't empathize with someone in distress unless you've walked in their shoes. You can try to comfort them with words and be there for them, but unless you've 'been there-done that', you have no idea what they are truly going through and feeling inside. It takes someone who has endured that same physical or mental pain, who has suffered the pain or devastating loss of a loved one, who has lost it all and been homeless, who has been abused and lost all self worth, who has tried to get over additions without success to mention just a few; but until you've gone through the same, you cannot truly understand how to empathize with them and bring them comfort and hope. This little boy knew he could empathize and care for this lame doggie because he too had defects and continued to deal with the same struggles.
God knows what we are going through and He has a way of turning bad things that happen in our lives into good, and with the journey and endurance, they make us able to teach others going through the same. Psalm 34:19 states "Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." and in 2nd Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul wrote: “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 our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
God delivers us from different circumstances and conditions, but He doesn't comfort us simply to make us comfortable. He comforts us to make us comfort-able…able to comfort others in the same manner He comforted us. To everything there is a season and Lord knows we've all been through lots of 'seasons' in our life, but God didn't leave us there. He was right there to deliver and set us free so we could comfort others in their time of need. He made us able to comfort others, more than conquerors, to share Hope with them through Christ Jesus.
Dear friend, God may very well send someone your way today who needs that comfort, who needs an ear to listen and understand, or they may need to feel accepted and you and I can be God's hand extended that will make a difference in their life. Where would we be had it not been for God making a way where there seemed to be no way? Let's be comforters and God's love extended to those who come our way and have a blessed day, because God loves you and so do I~~~
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