“Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:3).
When people see the strength of God in you as you walk through the same difficulties they do, they will stand back in awe and think, “Surely there must be a God! We are walking through the same waters, yet what is causing me to drown seems to be replenishing him. He has an inner strength I don’t have.” Paul said it this way: “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 trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
Paul was never one to hide the fact that there would be trials in the Christian life. Later in that passage of Scripture he goes on to say, “We do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia” (1:8). Paul was reminding us that we are going to go through trials, but God is going to comfort us. And with the comfort we receive, we are going to be able to comfort others who find themselves in sorrow and confusion.
I believe many Christians will need to experience the comfort of the Lord in the coming days. That is where we must not abandon our brothers and sisters in Christ but, rather, stand alongside them. Many have embraced teachings from preachers who have convinced them that coming to Jesus means they will be exempt from all suffering and trials. Without a clear understanding of what the Christian walk is about, they become open game for the enemy. He comes in and casts doubt upon the faithfulness of God and his promises, causing discouragement to set in.
The world will see your example but you also may find a fellow believer whose faith is shaken by hardships. You can open the Scriptures and offer support. “Look, my friend, you and I serve the same Jesus, so let’s walk together.” The Holy Spirit will enable you to be an encouraging voice and an example of what it means to walk in victory and stability during difficult times.
Carter Conlon joined the pastoral staff of Times Square Church in 1994 at the invitation of the founding pastor, David Wilkerson, and was appointed Senior Pastor in 2001.