Written by Ruth L.
 

 

One of the best ways to build up our sisters in Christ is by sharing what the Lord has done in our own lives.  There is a measure of encouragement that can be given to someone who is experiencing something we have never been through.  For example, if we encounter a lady who has lost her spouse, we can assure her of our prayers (if we really are praying!) and, if appropriate, even share a verse that may be an encouragement.  Yet most of us receiving this e-magazine have never personally experienced being a widow.  The last thing we would say in a situation like this would be, "I know how you feel."

 

Sometimes there is a very special kind of comfort that we can give when we ourselves have gone through the same situation another lady is facing.  One small example would be the way fellow students can encourage each other.  Many times, throughout college, my classmates and I would be almost in a state of panic when we were faced with challenging assignments.  Yet one of us could easily turn the whole direction of our conversation by reminding the others that this was an opportunity to trust the Lord and that He would give us the grace to get through this situation.

 

Sometimes we face more difficult problems than school responsibilities.  We may suffer a serious physical problem, experience conflict with other people, or even struggle with a sin habit.  One of the worst things we can assume during these times is that we are the only one in our category.  Hearing both public and private testimonies can help us not only to see that we are not alone in the trials we face, but they can also teach us how to go through our own trials.  If we have the attitude that no one else goes through what we do, we may actually be overlooking opportunities to be a blessing to others by sharing with them what the Lord has been teaching us.

 

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).