한미감리교회 Korean American Methodist Church

The Comfort of Christ

작성자 한미연합감리교회
조회 1,186회 작성일 21-09-19 02:51

I sat quietly, listening as each family went around and shared stories
about their lives. Children with Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, paralysis,

behavioral disorders and undiagnosed but devastating symptoms.

Each family had a story — a heartbreaking, but beautiful, story.

I tried to give my full attention to each speaker, since this was our first time

attending a special needs support group, but I found my mind spinning

with doubts, denial and fears. How did we end up here? Do we really belong?

Even after seven years of seeing doctors and searching for answers to our

child’s neurological and behavioral challenges, I was still struggling to accept that

I was living a life I’d never imagined or expected. In fact, life has been nothing

like my dreams. Instead it’s brought special needs, financial loss, chronic pain

and our family of six all suffering with the painful and devastating symptoms

of Lyme Disease. However, this is the life God has lovingly and purposefully

chosen for me, and each and every aspect of it contains an eternal and glorious

thread that’s woven into the tapestry of God’s sovereign plan.

One of those threads weaves in the truth that circumstances we never would

have chosen for ourselves may be the very platform God uses to bring the hope

and comfort of Jesus to others hurting in our sphere of influence.

For example, while I never would have chosen to be thrust into the world of

special needs and Lyme Disease, it’s allowed my family the unique opportunity

to offer the comfort and hope of Christ to many people who suffer in a similar

manner. While sharing Christ’s comfort is not limited to those suffering in the exact

way we are, it’s a unique blessing when the Lord brings someone alongside us who

can understand our specific pain and bring the comfort of Christ they’ve received

as they’ve walked a similar road. As much as we struggle to understand why

God allows certain circumstances in our lives, His ways and purposes are often

far beyond our limited understanding. However, we can be assured our suffering

will not be wasted as we walk with Christ. He will use it to make us more like Him

and bring Him glory. Second Corinthians 1:3-4 promises God will comfort us in our

affliction as we trust in Him and, in the overflow of our own comfort, we are able to

bring that same comfort to those around us. Friend, if we as Christians never suffered

or found hope and comfort within it, how could we bring any real hope to a hurting

world? Though we may not understand why God has allowed certain trials into

our lives, let’s trust He has chosen our path of suffering for His greater purpose of

drawing us near to Him in comfort, while bringing that hope and comfort to those

He’s placed in our path. And ultimately glorifying Him through it.

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