If you missed part I read it here.
As a child, I loved to perform. I remember dancing in front of the TV and singing with the theme song to Brady Bunch (as often as my family would allow). In grade school I sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow for a mother daughter banquet while holding our neighbor’s dog who looked just like Toto. I had dreams of being the next Whitney Houston, even singing a Christian version of her Greatest Love of All song at a church picnic. Had American Idol been born in the 90’s I might have … well, a girl can dream, can’t she?
[Enter in reality]
A few years ago I went to my first Women of Faith conference. I distinctly remember Sheila Walshlooking directly into the camera and meeting my eyes through the Jumbo-Tron. My insides ached to be part of the faith team.
Funny how God works. See, I needed to learn the ache of Christ, the desire of His heart, before gaining an audience.
[Enter in postpartum depression]
Today, as I strive to find balance between the spotlight of ministry and the humility of weakness, I find comfort in 2 Corinthians 1:
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 have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
I never would have imagined God using the darkest time in my life as a platform for ministry. But, it happened. And I do enjoy sharing both the pain and the joy that I have experienced in my walk with Christ.
Where do you find yourself today? Are you needing comfort or offering comfort to others? What is Jesus teaching you about His comfort?
God loves you and is using you girlfriend!
Yes, God has absolutely used the hardest parts of my life to have the greatest ministry. It is by offering the comfort that I’ve received from him to hurting people that he is glorified!
Toben and I are amazed at the number of couples we meet who are dealing with mental illness in their marriages, but that’s just God answering the prayer of Psalm 40–that many will see and hear and glorify him as a result of our being in that particular pit.
Joanne
Shane, I think you definitely have been blessed in the gift of minsitry. God loves putting you in the spot light and is definitely using it to help others:) I know I have benefitted.
As for needing and offering comfort – How about both!!! Last night was girls night. I learned that Jesus is knocking on the heart of one of my close girlfriends, but a huge obstacle is her husband. She doesn’t want him to see her differently if she starts pursuing God.(She cares deeply about his opinion- just like I do of my husband.) Hello I was and I am going through that right now! I can offer her lots of comfort from my experience. But I am also finding comfort because sometimes I get discouraged with my husband. I feel like I am looking too hard to see change in him and me. I think I see things, but then I think maybe I am making it up because I want it so bad. But when I listen to my friend and what she is going through (like being afraid to read the Bible because he would think it is weird) and I think Wow! I was there and now I’m past that – It makes me realize that God really has been growing my faith – even though I have a lot more to go!!
Yes!
I remember my first Women of Faith conference and the realization I came to that none of those women would have anything to say if they had not gone through a time of pain or sorrow. God gave them a story to glorify Himself – and that’s just what they were doing.
And so can we.
Today I find myself both needing comfort and giving it. Last night we learned my Dad has cancer, so our family is dealing with this new reality. Yet, at the same time, there are those in my circle who God has called me to walk beside and encourage in other areas.
I am learning that He comforts us and enables us to offer comfort…even during our weakest times.
Resting in Him,
Joy
God has been working in my heart, but I’m not sure quite what the focus is. I know it’s women, but not sure where yet. I’m still waiting. I believe he’s been preparing me though through my last studies.
Love,
Carol
This is a question that I will need to meditate on. I am in the middle of trying to find where I belong in the kingdom. Where He wants me or what he wants me to do? I am pretty confused about it.
I just keep praying.
His strength is made perfect in our weakness. It is when we CANNOT, He CAN. It’s so amazing to see God at work in our lives when we’ve reached the end of our sufficiency. I do believe when we cry out, “Lord, I can’t!” is when the Almighty says, “This, this is something I can glorify.”
I sure wish sometimes life wasn’t so hard and that we could all celebrate together on the mountaintop. But I am so thankful for people like you, Shane, with whom I can share this journey.
Blessings,
Kelli