2 Corinthians 1:6-7–If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

There is one of two mindsets you can have when facing difficulties, frustrations, and pain.  One, is that we can see ourselves as prisoners of what’s going on, and formulate a “virtual prison” in our mind, that we can’t get out of!  Or two, see the situation as not meant just for you, but for us to seek God that we can comfort others…

To see our lives as a “channel”, that our experiences are to flow through us, for the sake of other people, helps us escape toxic self-pity.  Without a lifestyle that flows, it is impossible to see ourselves as servants for Christ sake and others.  What disqualifies us from being ministers of grace, is that we fail to seek grace, so we have nothing of God to offer!

The apostle Paul saw his trials as opportunities to comfort other people.  As difficult it can be to “get out of ourselves”, it is more difficult to endure hardship by ourselves!  So Paul wants us to see our lives as a “channel of grace” that flows to those who need it…

Take some time and think about the people around you that maybe struggling and need comfort?  Instead of not seeing yourself as the comfort God sent to them, embrace it.  You’d be surprised how God ministers to you while you minister to others!

In His Love, LD