Your Suffering Gives You Credibility

“He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things'” Luke 24: 46-48

    Did you know that Jesus calls people in all occupations and from every walk of life to become His disciples? This wide variety of people from so many different places and differing lives each have the ability to reach people for Christ. 

    Those of us who have suffered and survived illness and disease come from a particular walk of life that gives us the ability to reach ill and hurting people who others cannot fully relate to.

     You might think, what can we do when we can barely leave our sick beds or step outside of our houses? I believe we can do something for Christ whether we can climb out of our bed, or are barely able to get out into the wide world.

    We can witness about the goodness of God, even in our affliction.

    You see a wealthy preacher on television with excellent health, and no problems to speak of. He can promise lots of things to ill people, but he has no idea what they are actually going through, and perhaps has very little empathy for something he little understands.

    However, you and I understand. We can empathize, and we can encourage people to place their faith in Christ because we know what it means to have His help and comfort in our affliction.

    You are a powerful witness as a survivor of affliction. Take that power and witness to others who are downcast and hurting. Nothing is more fruitful than that.

    Few people in life are completely untouched by loss, disease, and suffering. Use your pain to connect with those who are suffering and enduring hardship.

    You can reach people who are hurting because you know what pain and suffering feels like. You know how meaningful it is to feel the peace and presence of Jesus in your Afflictions.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to always lift Your name high, even when we are feeling very low. Amen.