2 Corinthians 1:5-6: “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same suffering we suffer.” 

Let’s be honest. Just because a Christian has trouble in their life does NOT mean they will be equipped and motivated to help others in their troubles. It is not just having trouble that enables you to help others, it is how you respond to trouble.

Let’s ask ourselves some diagnostic questions: What is my attitude when trouble comes my way? Do I complain to God and try every kind of human manipulation to get myself out of trouble as quickly as possible? Do I really trust God when trouble comes my way, that He cares about me but still is allowing the trouble because of some good purpose of conforming me to the image of His Son? 

I think 2 Corinthians 1:5-6 give us the key to a right response. It is allowing God to comfort you, through the Holy Spirit, so that God can use that same comfort to help others. Ministry is all about God comforting us so we can comfort others. It’s your choice. You can build a wall around yourself when you go through trouble OR you can identify with it and embrace what God wants to do in your life through it. Then watch as He comforts you AND uses all of it as a healing agent in a broken world.