21 May, 2007

"I know how you feel..."

Have you ever been comforted by someone who really understands what you're going through? Makes a difference doesn't it.

Sharing A Story...

Amputees Across America (AAA) is the brainchild of Joe Sapere who lost his leg following a skydiving accident when he was 60. On his way to recovery, he discovered the need for greater support and information for those facing amputation. So, in 2001, Joe founded Amputees Across America, a transcontinental bicycle and skydiving tour that visits rehabilitation hospitals to deliver resource information and establishes a nationwide peer support network.

The mission remains the same: to perspire so that others may aspire; to give hope to other amputees so that they, too, can lead active and fulfilling lives; to prove that ordinary people can, indeed, do extra ordinary things. While visiting rehab facilities and hospitals, the amputee ambassadors touch the hearts and lives of those who are suffering and deliver a potent message: Never Give Up.

photo & text courtesy amputeesacrossamerica.com

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

God of All Comfort

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (ESV)

Do you remember the DAILYBIDES from the past few days? We found out from Paul that God causes everything to work for our "good". That "good" is that God wants us to glorify Him as we become more and more like Jesus Christ.

One of those "good" results is that PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN TEACH US. Remember, God's purpose is to make us Holy, not happy.

Another "good" is that PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN GLORIFY GOD THROUGH US. When Christians personally apply the truths of who God is, in their lives, God is glorified through the pain and suffering of His children.

PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN PURIFY US. The trials that we face in life are part of the process that God uses to refine us by "fire". If we respond to the "fire" by trusting God, our faith is strengthened and we become useful to serve God.

God's discipline proves that He loves us even more than we understand. PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN MATURE US. Our loving Father uses it to help us grow up to be more like Jesus Christ.

What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about another "good" that can come out of the "bad" in life?

Paul is teaching us that when we trust God to comfort us, PAIN AND SUFFERING CAN EQUIP US TO COMFORT OTHERS. God doesn't always remove our troubles, but He will always provide comfort through His strength and hope. Remember that whenever we endure life's hard times, God is equipping us to some day bring His comfort to others who experience similar troubles.

The people who are involved in "Amputees Across America" are bringing comfort and hope to others who are just beginning the same journey.

Perhaps God is waiting for you to bring comfort to someone. Some day, you may need comfort from someone who has "been there and done that".

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

  • Thank God that though He will not keep you from all pain and suffering, He will never leave you alone with your problems. Praise Him for being in control, infinite in wisdom, and that His love for you is perfect! Ask Him for the faith you need to trust Him when you are tested. Let God know of your desire to let Him teach you about Himself. Ask Jesus to help you glorify Him in tough times. Ask God's Spirit to point out to you any impurities in your life that you need to confess and then thank Jesus for His forgiveness. Thank God that He will use pain and suffering to discipline you to grow in spiritual maturity. Ask God to show you opportunities to bring comfort to someone else who is facing a difficult challenge that you've already faced with God's love and strength.
  • Pray regularly for the opportunity to bring comfort to someone else who is facing a difficult challenge that God has already helped you face.
  • Write down examples of how God has brought comfort into your life at needed times. Thank Him again! Let it remind you of lessons learned that you can pass on to others.

How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?

  • Talk to your youth leader, pastor or another Christian friend about what you've written down above and ask for their input and prayer.
  • Share with someone what you are learning in this DAILYBIDE series on seeing God's "good" in the "bad" of life.
  • Watch for the times when the stories of others give you an opportunity to provide comfort because you have or are experiencing a similar challenge in life.
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God's Story is brought to you by Youth for Christ. YFC works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been with YFC for over 30 years and has served as Campus Life Staff, in leadership for DCLA, and as an author and speaker. Byron is available for speaking at youth or adult events and conferences. For booking, write to byron@3Story.org.

Byron and his wife Linda live in Minnesota and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, a grandaughter, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.