E15 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Suffering - Not me but us - Part 3 of 3
Hope’s Harbor
Gritty Bible Devotions
Episode #15
Title: Suffering - Not me but us – Part 3 of 3
Date: 7/12/2021
Contact: info@hopesharbor.net
Key verse(s): 2nd Cor. 1:3-8
Devotion focus:
- This episode’s focus: Serving others from our experience with pain -
I want to read through these verses in 2nd Cor and when I do, listen to the Word of GOD as He tells us about comfort, tribulation, trouble, suffering, and afflictions.
2Co 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2Co 1:4 – “who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2Co 1:5 – “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
2Co 1:6 – “Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2Co 1:7 – “And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
2Co 1:8 – “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.”
Now, this passage is given to us so we may see this great truth: we are not alone in our suffering, nor are we to keep the lessons learned to ourselves.
In the following passage of Matthew 25:14-29, the word talents is a coin or a sum of money. The servants in the story were expected to use what they were given so that the owner, a type of the LORD, would receive a dividend, would gain from the wealth He entrusted to His servants for that purpose.
Suffering may be thought of as a type of ‘coin’ given to us as an investment. An investment the LORD will use if we allow it and not hoard the lessons learned or the ability given us to console others by what we gained from our experiences of pain and suffering.
Listen to the Word of GOD
Matt 25:14 - "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
Matt 25:15 - And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Matt 25:16 - Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
Matt 25:17 - And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
Matt 25:18 - But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.
Matt 25:19 - After a long time, the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
Matt 25:20 - "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'
Matt 25:21 - His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
Matt 25:22 - He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.'
Matt 25:23 - His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
Matt 25:24 - "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
Matt 25:25 - And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'
When it comes to using our wealth of knowledge gained by experiences with suffering, it’s easier to do nothing, especially if it’s inconvenient to do so.
The usual excuse I hear for hoarding our ‘talent’ and not comforting an acquaintance or friend who is suffering is: ‘I don’t know what to say.’
How can we avoid, or at least, minimize saying the wrong thing?
Well, let me ask: When you’ve been hurting, what did you need most?
Here are a few examples I find effective:
· What do you say to someone grieving the loss of a loved one? Usually, the best we can say is “I’m sorry.”
· How best to offer help and support? Instead of saying “Call me if you need anything,” ask “What do you need?’ Or “What can I do?” Then go provide or do whatever is needed.
· How often to make contact and how long to stay in touch? Depending on your relationship to the person suffering you may need to call every day for the first few weeks. And the call need not be serious in nature like discussing the issue. Talking about other issues, lighthearted events you may have shared is good medicine.
These examples are only the beginning of using your suffering to help others. If you’re the one weakened by pain and loss, wait until this season of your life passes, and it will, then seek opportunities to give comfort to those going through similar circumstances of pain.
Summary: God uses suffering and the pain it brings for several purposes:
· To bring Himself glory.
· To teach us about His many wonderful characteristics of love, faithfulness, etc.
· To enable us to serve more effectively when interacting with those who are suffering similar pain to what we have endured.
Action to consider: Take an assessment of yourself to see all you have to offer, and then seek out and minister comfort to hurting people. God will reveal them to us when we express our willingness to help others and express our willingness to Him in prayer.
If you’re ready, tell GOD you will obey the principle in Matt 25:14-29 -
Next week’s devotion: Is GOD good? Luke 18:19 - ‘So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.”’