Strength After Weakness

I think to myself when I come across some situations in my life, If I’d have known what I know now… and just sort of trail off, because it’s always a looking back at what I’d already gone through and saying wouldn’t that have been nice to know back then?

Have you ever met with a sage? Someone who is simply weathered with experience; dripping with insight and tips and hints and suggestions? What would an interaction with a person like that do to you or for you?

I’ve been exploring this in my own life. I’ve gone through some ups and some downs. I’ve learned some lessons the hard way. I’ve had some hurt to endure and some challenges to accept and process. Not always pretty.

But here’s the thought – what if I could help someone through their unique struggles? What would that have meant to me at the time? Hard to say, but it would have facilitated my learning and overcoming my own challenges on my journey. What would that mean to me – and what if I did that for someone else?

Ah, that’s where it gets interesting. What is the purpose of overcoming something in your life? To overcome it of course. But then what? What do you do in that area after you’ve overcome?

Ah, that’s right. There’s more to be done here, isn’t there? In my mind, Yes, much more. To help others – what else would your overcoming be used for?

This was a wild concept – to me anyway. There’s more to be done here. It isn’t over – despite how much pain or uncomfortable it was to go through – it’s not over.

Think about it – what better way to help someone than by helping them where you are now (because of the overcoming you’ve accomplished) and providing that encouragement?

What does Hope mean to someone who is struggling?

tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
— Romans 5:3b, 4

What’s the value of Hope? Have you thought you could have an impact on someone like that?

Something I’m working through. I don’t know why I never saw it before. Probably because I’m selfish and self centered.

But imagine that – using a weapon used against you to … bring hope and freedom! Amazing.

I’m now looking for opportunities to help someone out. And I’m finding the more I look, the more I see. The more I ask, the more I hear.

Maybe this is how it’s supposed to work. Maybe this is what it means to be Christian, to be a Family?

Pretty cool. Good thinking, God. And now my question to you – how can you help?

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