How to Turn Suffering Into Service

In 2 Corinthians 1:6 it says, “Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.” (NLT)

Everyone is going to face problems and difficulties in life. I find that God will give me all the grace I need to endure those hard times. But he also wants me to be willing to use my experiences to help others. God doesn’t want me to waste my hurt!

The Bible says, “Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer” (2 Corinthians 1:6 NLT). 

Did you know that God sometimes allows us to go through problems for the benefit of others? He may let us go through a period of darkness, depression, or discouragement so that we can comfort others with the same comfort he gives us.  

In fact, our greatest life messages always come out of our weaknesses, not our strengths. 

Who can better help somebody who’s in recovery for alcoholism than somebody who’s also walked through recovery? Who can better help somebody who is going through the pain of a divorce than someone who has healed from divorce? And who can better help the parent of a seriously ill child than another parent who’s experienced the same heartache? 

The things in life I wish I could change are often the very things God wants to use to help me grow in spiritual maturity and as a ministry. While God is at work in me, he also wants to work through me to help others.

The Bible says that love never gives up. It is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. Love considers others. Love turns other people’s problems and needs into our problems and needs. Love looks at other people like God sees them and gives them what they need, not what they deserve.

That’s what Jesus did. He suffered all kinds of problems and shame and went to the cross—not for his benefit but for our salvation. I can follow his example, and use my hurt to help others.