So, the first thing you’re going to learn about me is that I am real. I’m not afraid to be transparent, to share my brokenness and my struggles. I used to worry that other “more holy” women would judge me if I were real. Then I got over it- delivered! Even so, I experienced this again recently and it really messed with my self esteem and even my “God esteem-” you know, my concept of who I am in Christ- for a short time. Then I was reminded (and when I say reminded I mean, the Lord lovingly smacked me upside the head) of these verses:

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise to the God of All Comfort. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:2-4 NIV

The word comfort appears in those three verses 5 times! Do you think that’s a hint about the prominent place it holds in our Father’s heart? I can only believe that as Christians, comforting others is way more important, and more noble and courageous, than trying to fool the world into thinking that we have it all together- that we never struggle with sin or pain. Because guess what? We’re not fooling anyone!

If we all walk around acting like we’re super-spiritual, struggle-free wonder women- well first of all we’re lying because none of us are Jesus- but also we are missing out on the most amazing ministry opportunities! I don’t want anything to keep me from the blessings that come when I authentically extend grace to others. I especially don’t want fear of judgment to keep me from the purpose God has ordained for my pain and my brokenness. Can’t you just imagine the enemy grinning and rubbing his hands together every time fear keeps us from sharing our struggles and the comfort we’ve received from Jesus?

Read the first line of that passage- GRACE and PEACE to you! The judgment we fear, whether real or perceived, has no power over us! Anyone who is not extending grace and peace to you is not a messenger from “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!” Now I’m not dismissing the merit of a well-timed word of Christian exhortation. I’m very thankful for friends who have warranted a place in my life to speak the truth in love. Because perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). LOVE (grace and peace) is the antidote to fear.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the awesome ministry to which we are called in this passage. The Message paraphrase says it like this:

“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.”

I met a woman recently who had an amazing testimony. God had been her refuge through unspeakable tragedy, and yet, even as she opened up just a bit, she told me she was afraid to share her story with others. “Why?” I asked incredulously, thinking of all the women who needed to hear just such an encouraging word. She gave a few reasons: she was afraid she would get too emotional; she was afraid people wouldn’t be able to grasp the full depth of her pain; she was afraid people would pity her, or perhaps tell her she should have been a stronger Christian through it all. As she spoke, my heart went out to her. I imagined her in this prison of “what-ifs,” all of which were keeping her from God-ordained ministry and from fully experiencing the redemption of her experiences as she used them to bring comfort to others.

What about you, my friend? The beauty in the between here is actually more of a lasting beauty that continues to grow as we mature in the Lord, as time mellows our memories and as we comfort and come alongside many others. Don’t let anyone or anything steal the purpose from your pain, the blessing of your brokenness or the testimony in your troubles. Revelations 12:11 tells us that we triumph over the enemy by the blood of Jesus and the words of our testimony. What do you need to overcome today? And then, how can you help others to overcome and find the comfort you have found?

Lord Jesus, you know our deepest pain, the inner brokenness that no one sees. Give us the courage to be real- to walk in transparency and humility instead of pretense and pride. Help us to trust You with our hurts, our fears, our life experiences that have been less than victorious; for it’s only when we trust You with the opportunity and the outcome that we take ourselves out of the way of Your purpose. May our pain never be wasted; empower us with boldness when it’s time to offer comfort to others. May we always be Your agents of grace and peace. Amen.