The world is full of hurting and comfortless hearts. But before you will be competent for this lofty ministry, you must be trained. And your training is extremely costly, for to make it complete, you too must endure the same afflictions that are wringing countless hearts of tears and blood. Consequently, your own life becomes the hospital ward where you are taught the divine art of comfort. You will be wounded so that in the binding up of your wounds by the Great Physician, you may learn how to render first aid to the wounded everywhere.

Do you wonder why you are having to experience some great sorrow ?

Over the next 10 years you will find many others afflicted in the same way. You will tell them how you suffered and were comforted. As the story unfolds, God will apply the anaesthetic he once used on you to them. Then in the eager look followed by the gleam of hope that chases the shadow of despair from the soul, you will know why you were afflicted. And you will bless God for the discipline that filled your life with such a treasure of experience and helpfulness.

God comforts us not to make us comfortable but to make us comforters.

(Taken from the book "Streams in the Desert")


YouTube - Michael and Kyle Sweet on TBN 9-20-07 Kyle Interview Part 2

I know this to be true! Great post and I am sooooooo ready to be a comforter! I'm hoping my training is complete, at least for a while. God is so good and I'm ready to be His messenger and servant in lighting the way. Thanks for another great use of the written word. It is such an incredibly powerful thing.

In His Awesome Name,
Denise