Comforted so we may provide comfort

He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Cor 1:4)

God may currently be allowing certain things to happen to you this very moment, not because of any wrong you've done but because He wants to reveal Himself through YOUR life for all to see.

We have many people watching us - looking to see how we react to life's circumstances.

Our Father wants to work IN us and THROUGH us to show that HE is still the God that saves, transforms, heals, delivers, rescues, protects, shelters, provides, sustains and KEEPS us EVERY moment of EVERY day! He works IN and THROUGH us, allowing our lives to be a living witness to those around us. He is gracious to allow us to partner with Him to reveal His heart of love and compassion to those who do not yet know Him.

Think of this:

God allowed Lazarus to die and even be placed in the tomb, so that He could reveal that He is the God who gives life to the dead.

God allowed Daniel to be thrown into the lion's den so He could reveal Himself as the ONE who vindicates and rescues those who put their trust in Him.

God allowed Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego to be thrown into the fiery furnace so He could show that He is the God who will pull you out of the fire and you will come out not even smelling like smoke!

God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery and imprisoned so He could elevate him from the pit to prison to the palace!

God allowed the Israelites to be led into the wilderness without food or water so He could feed them with manna from heaven and water from a rock to show that He is the God that provides.

God allowed Jonah to be swallowed up by the whale to show that His purpose cannot be thwarted by man's rebellion and that His mercy toward those who are perishing cannot be swallowed up by any force!

At Joshua's request, God allowed the sun and moon to stand still at Gibeon to show that He is the God who will make time stand still to drive your enemies out before you.

God allowed Hagar to be driven into the desert without food, water or hope, so He could reveal Himself to be the God who meets us at our loneliest, most desperate times, and comes to our aid.

God allowed the widow with two sons and no oil to be in a dire financial crisis so he could show that He is a Father to the fatherless and a Husband to the widow, making a way not only for this single mother to care for her sons, but to pay off all of her debt, and have financial security for the rest of her life.

God allowed David to be overlooked, underestimated and undervalued by his father and brothers so he could teach him intimacy, true worship, trust, faith and kingship as he tended the family's flocks in isolation.

God allowed Elizabeth and Sarah to conceive and give birth to sons long after their childbearing years were over to show that what is impossible with man is possible with God.

God allowed the woman with the issue of blood to be sick and unable to find help from any human source so that He could reveal that He is the God who heals all sickness and disease.

God allowed Job to lose all he had so that He could reveal that He is the God who restores everything that the enemy attempts to kill, steal and destroy in us.

God allowed Moses and the Israelites to be hemmed in with the Red Sea on one side and the Egyptian Army on the other, so that He could reveal that He is the God who makes a way where there seems to be no way.

What God does through you will give:

Hope to the hopeless

Healing to the sick

Encouragement to the discouraged

Family to the lonely

Sight to the blind

Direction to those who are wandering

Peace to the fearful

Strength to the weak

Joy to those who mourn

Victory in every battle

Food to the hungry

Water to the thirsty

Freedom to the addicted

Provision to those who lack

Deliverance to the oppressed

Vindication and justice to the falsely accused

Life to the barren

Placement and position to the humble

Faith to the unbeliever

Salvation to the lost

He will be a father to the orphan and a husband to the widow

He will reveal Himself through YOU so people will see that no matter how wounded they are, God can heal them; no matter how far from Him they are, He can draw them back. No matter how many times they have fallen, He will pick them up. No matter how sin stained their lives have become, He will wash them white as snow. No matter how life has deformed them, He will transform them into His image.

He will show them that He is for them and not against them, THROUGH YOUR LIFE. Let your light shine before men so they see YOUR LOVING FATHER in you and through you.

Amen, Father, let it be so!