Heartache and disappointments do not have to be a total loss; in fact, some of life’s greatest blessings come from some of its most difficult circumstances. Over the last week, I have experienced the humbling blessing of great and Godly friends who have come alongside my family and me to offer us prayer, strength, and comfort.

Some of those friends have experienced situations similar to mine (some even worse), and they have ministered to us out of experience. As I pondered the tremendous ministry of my friends – and even my friends’ friends – God reminded me of a familiar Scripture that I have often recited to others in their difficulty but on which now I can lean during mine.

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Here are some lessons God is teaching me in this season of life hopefully will encourage you if you are going through trying times in your life.

1. God is the Father of ALL comfort. There is no pain He cannot soothe, no fear He cannot calm, and no obstacle He cannot overcome. When words fail, God does not. When answers are not enough, He is. When all else is gone, He remains.

2. God does not necessarily keep me FROM affliction, but He always comes to me IN my affliction. In times of difficulty, I will experience God in ways I could not have otherwise experienced Him. As disciples we are not immune to heartache, in fact, we are warned that we may receive more than our “fair share” of it. I have the Holy Comforter, however, present within me, to minister to me in ways I can neither fully understand nor adequately describe. Sometimes in hurts all I need to do is be quiet and just enjoy the reality of His presence.

3. I cannot truly comfort others if I have never had to be comforted. Through affliction, I can move from being a theoretician to a practitioner. Through this experience I will be able to minister more compassionately and in a more understanding way. I am so thankful for friends who have stepped up to help me in practical ways because they KNOW what I am experiencing. While I would hate to see anyone go through difficulties, I long for the day when I can use my experience for something good and help someone else the way others have helped me.

Let me encourage you to learn from your hard times; don’t be so quick to despise them. Through fire and anvil the strongest steel is forged and in the greatest of difficulties God refines and prepares us.  Know that God has a greater purpose for what you are going through at the moment.  He has plans for you, and He will use this time for good in the future.