Three years ago, when my husband's affair was uncovered, the last thing on my mind was how "making it through" that time would help others make it through their "times". I was in survival mode. However, this week I got to see how God can use my pain to work His grace in someone else's life.
A few months ago, I received a 911 Facebook message from a dear friend from college. She had just been told of her husband's affair. As I talked with her over two hours, I heard echoes of myself in the words she was saying and could empathize more than I wish I could.
Over several months, I have talked with her and heard her fears, struggles, anger, and grief. Last night, I was privileged to see the miracle of reconciliation in her marriage as my husband and I (we are now reconciled) were able to have dinner with her and her husband and see the forgiveness and love and grace of God being given and received between the two of them.
If we will allow God to comfort us in our pain, He will allow us to comfort others with the same comfort we received. But the caveat is that we must allow God to comfort us. There is purpose in our pain. If we choose to grow bitter, and unforgiving, our pain will define us, bury us, and keep us from the amazing discovery that there is life after pain. And not just our lives, but the lives of others who will have hope because we have made it through to tell our story.
Being a victim may make us feel empowered, but there is no power in being a victim. There is only prison. Prisoner to our bitterness. Prisoner to our hatred. Prisoner to our feelings.
It is a choice to walk out of "victim" prison. You have to decide to let God use your pain instead of your pain using you. Your pain has purpose... and someone needs to hear your story to deal with the pain they're facing today.
Blessings!
