WASTING THE PAST

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of
all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort those who are
in any trouble, with the comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God.
II Corinthians 1:3-4

Having been a social worker, I found myself many times in a position of counseling people of all ages. Sometimes, these sessions had nothing to do with my job, but did have to do with dear women in various church positions who were bogged down with things dealing with past experiences. Too often, when folks are struggling with the past, they try to find solutions in therapists, psychiatrists and medications. There are times for those things I guess, but often for a Christian, those are things turned to first with no regard of what Jesus wants to do in their circumstances.

Many of us have unfortunate events that have occurred in our pasts. Some events have been more serious and traumatic than others, but whatever they were (and still may be), they are real and can be crippling. I have learned through these many years of life that no matter the unfortunate circumstances in my life, God never wastes a single crumb of that experience. There are things He intended for my further learning, growth and yes, even ministry. The most negative of life's events in our lives, God has more of a far reaching plan than we can imagine of our being an encouragement and even teacher for others.

A few years ago, a dear lady in a Sunday school class of mine lost her husband after his very long illness. He had suffered terribly and those of us in the class did all we could to be a help and encouragement to her. I recall going to the funeral home for the visitation time. Ladies from our class were present and were being very helpful when our friend needed anything. I recall I took charge of a Kleenex box and saw to it that my friend had fresh tissues every now and then. I also went for cups of water when I thought she needed some refreshment.

I noticed some ladies from my class as well as some others who came for the visitation time all saying something similar to my friend....”I know how you feel right now.” It suddenly
dawned on me that there was no way I could say that to this dear lady. I still had and have a living husband. I could do all I could in little ways for her, but I hadn't been her shoes, walking where she was walking. There's nothing wrong with that. The ladies in my class who are widows knew so well what this dear lady was going through and that in itself can be a tremendous comfort. God didn't waste their sorrow...He was and will use that difficult time in their lives to comfort and minister in the lives of others.

We are too quick to revert back to past events with great regret almost to the point of taking ourselves into a darkness that is hard to escape. I don't care how serious the sin or the incident, God forgives every repentant heart and can continue to use that person. Of course, the real beginning is that of salvation, but even born again Christians have their leftover past events to deal with. I'm thinking of ladies who have told me of abuse they've endured, abuse in any form whether physical, sexual or emotional. Some ladies have told me about having had abortions, others have been unfaithful to husbands. There are ladies who have told me of past problems with addictions...pills, food, alcohol, etc. I'm talking about ladies who in every incident are now viewing these things from the present back to their past.

Why mention these particular incidents? No lady has to go about airing out past dirty laundry, but God may use a lady who has known past difficulties to minister in the life of a lady who is struggling with something similar right now. The credential is, “I know what you're feeling...I have been where you are.” In that instance, one who speaks from experience is in a position to render hope to someone who feels all hope is gone, and that can expect unconditional and lasting forgiveness from God. It could be that with some problems, there are human beings around such a lady who will not be forgiving, leaving her lost and vulnerable. That is very much the likelihood in this day where forgiveness often seems in short supply. The important thing is God's cleansing, restored relationship with Him and His bringing good from what seems impossible.

In our day, we are surrounded by hurting people. The hurts may seem minor to some, but not to all. I've seen young women go through broken engagements that have been devastating. I know teen girls whose steady boyfriend broke up with them...they didn't make cheerleader...their parents are divorcing. I also know men and women who have been caregivers with loved ones now in Heaven. In our day, counsel from those caregivers is valuable. You see, there is a myriad of problems, large and small at various stages of life that can leave mental scars and yes, bitterness in ones life.

I have shared the two opening verses above with several people lately. It's what I refer to a “ones license to comfort.” Paul sees our tribulation as opportunities for us to comfort others in the same ways we were comforted during our own difficult time. Then, we can honestly say, “I know where you are right now and know there is hope for you, a hope only found in Jesus.”

All of this may not mean our ministering to a great crowd of people...it may be only one on one...but oh, the comfort and hope for a healthy future we can share with one so lost in a dreadful past. In those moments, God takes those crumbs from our terrible past experiences and uses them to be a blessing. In that process another person is helped, but we are helped as well when we can see good coming from something that at the time broke our hearts. I have watched my two daughters who have gone through some tough stuff being now in a position to be a comfort and hope to other ladies. They don't have to be older, seasoned Christians. God gives the wisdom and power to know how to handle the various needs that might come ones way in the most unexpected times. Whatever our past events that we consider crippling, God can use now as opportunities to minister in lives of others who need to know they are not alone and that there is hope. We don't have to go looking for these people who have need. God has a wonderful way of bringing them into our paths.

Here again is where we have an opportunity to be “Jesus with skin on” in ministering in the lives of others who need His touch. Scripture tells us that Jesus was tempted in all points as we are...He lived the very human life and because of God coming to earth, Jesus can feel with our heartbreaks. He can in reality speak to our hearts as we deal with heartbreaking issues in our lives, saying, “I know how you feel. lean on Me.”

Dear Father, You know there have been times I've felt swallowed up in life's circumstances in my own life and found it hard at the time to thank You for them. I now see some of Your plan as You've handed me those crumbs to use in comforting others. In Jesus precious name...Amen