Unpack the struggles and past crisis to help others.
Faced many things when I was young that made no sense to me, even made me angry at times. Why did my dad die so early in my life? Why did I have to work when others were playing and doing fun stuff? Why didn't I have what some other kids had? Why did I have to ride the school bus? Why did one of my best friends die when I was 9 ? Why did my family struggle to get by? Lots of questions, we were a Christian family, went to church, loved God, and gave our tithe. Why? As I grew up into an adult, I found out I still have to face struggles in life, it doesn't matter how strong a Christian I am. I can do everything right and for the right reason, I will still face struggles and have questions. The more I struggled when I was young, the more questions I had. Today I continue to struggle in areas, and I continue to have questions. But, I have grow up in many areas, I have been taught by my past struggles and questions, it's was all so I could help others! Really, it's amazing when we mature as a Christian and person. It's amazing when we stop doing and saying childish things as we become an adult Christian and person. Few things to share this morning. I now have a rejoicing spirit and not a remorseful attitude. God helped me through it all, and I'm a stronger Christian and person. I now prepare ahead for times of struggle and crisis, just because everything seems well, I keep a constant stream of communication between me and my Heavenly Father. I know struggles are ahead, I'll be better prepared by speaking with God daily. I now know that growth takes place during struggle and crisis times. I would not be the Christian or person I am today, without those struggles and questions while young. Now for maybe the most important. I have learned that the struggles, questions, and times of crisis in my life, creates opportunities for me to help others become stronger and grow up in faith and as a person.
“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 MSG
What you've been through isn't in vain, somebody needs you today.