Comfort

"What used to make us stumble,
God can use to make us stand. What once
made us bow our heads in shame,
He can use for His glory."

~ Joanna Weaver~
Having a Mary Spirit

2 Cor. 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
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.
5 For the more we suffer for Christ,
the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

This is the verse that came to mind when I read the quote. God is my comfort, so that when I do fall as a result of my sin or the troubles of this world, I know where to turn. He disciplines me and teaches me through His Word. I truly believe that my greatest ministry has been a result of directing others to the true hope and comforter.

Our faith does not make us perfect, we still stumble like unbelievers. I think that my failures also make me real to those around me - and how I respond is the difference. Do I get angry and blame others? Or do I turn the mirror on myself and apologize for my words and actions? Our response to the trouble is often a greater indicator of our faith then being able to avoid the trouble to begin with (even though this is the preferred path). A great example is Heather at Especially Heather. Her witness of Christ has been so powerful as a result of her pain - she has chosen to worship Christ regardless.

I pray that I may use my weakness as a way to introduce the hope and glory of Christ to others.
Amen.