a ministry … { Below, I am sharing an * edited- by- me version * of a helpful post shared, on a Telegram group, by another believer. Thought you all would be encouraged to read it, here. }
2 Corinthians 1: 4
He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ( NLT )
“OUR MINISTRY IS WHERE OUR MISERY WAS” { her title }
II Corinthians 1 v 4 ( YHVH is The One ) Who comforts us continually in all our tribulation ( Gr #2347 — pressure; Heb. # 6869 — tightness; figuratively, trouble ), that we may be able ( enabled by His Power ) to comfort those who are in any trouble ( Gr 2347, again ), by the comfort with which YHVH ( The I AM ) God has comforted us. { the expanded version I got from my copy of The written Word }
I have taught this Scripture for many, many years now, and it is still among one of my favorites.
I can think back to the many times in my early walk, and even now, though less frequent, when I would be walking through darkness, not understanding how I would make it through, and seeing no light, but trusting that God would be all that I had learned of Him and somehow He’d see me through. I became less and less surprised when He would show up in those situations. I could go into great details of the many testimonies of God showing up and showing out when I was at the end of myself, but I’ve said all of that to say … it was in those darkest hours throughout my walk that I did in fact learn so much about God and His tenderness towards me … it was in my misery that God equipped me with the compassion to have a ministry. A ministry to meet people where they are in their own darkness, in their own misery, and to be His hand in ministry. Show me a single mother holding on for dear life, hoping and praying that the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t another train …. I can come alongside of her and speak to things in those situations others may have no idea how to speak to. Show me someone who is in any given situation God has personally walked me through, and I will always see an opportunity for ministry. It is in all of us to minister to others out of those times God brought us through.
Have you struggled with addiction, and God saw you through… there is your ministry. Have you lost a child, and God brought you through… there is your ministry. Have you overcame depression, and God brought you through… there is your ministry. Have you survived an abusive relationship, and God brought you through… there is your ministry. Whatever the situation WAS and God saw you through… THERE is your ministry.
The statement “our ministry is where our misery was” is the testimony of what ( YHVH ) God saw us through, and the classroom that equips each of us to have the compassion of Christ ( Mashiach Yahshua ) to meet our brothers and sisters in their own misery and be the hands of ( YHVH ) God to walk along side them and give them Hope.
As I started out saying, I have taught this message of compassion for many, many years (in a great more detail). Others have, along the way, taken my motto on as their own as well. We live in a dying and hurting world…. Embrace your ministry and start looking for places to be His hands of compassion.
*** Kind readers, I have corrected a few typos, in what this other believer wrote, yet I have not changed the content or her edifying message. Am trusting you all will benefit from having thought through her inspiring message! ***
Shalom, in Yahshua’s Mighty and Matchless Name 🙏 ❤️
We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual (or, “wicked spirits”) wickedness (depravity, malice) in high (places) (or, “in heavenly”). — Ephesians 6 v 12
Finally, my brothers ( fellow believers ), Be Strong ( in might; increase in strength; … in Yahshua ) In YHVH, In Yahshua, and in The Power of His Might. — Ephesians 6 v 10
So, take unto yourselves The Entire Armor of ( YHVH ) God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done All, ( you will be enabled ) to Stand ( firm, in Yahshua ). — Ephesians 6 v 13