When I think of the people that have been most helpful and encouraging to me in times of trouble, they all have one thing in common: they’ve been there.
Even if circumstances aren’t exactly the same, they know what it’s like to walk through a trial and truly need the Lord to reach a place of deliverance.
In a recent edition of It’s Time to Pray, Pastor Carter reads from Psalm 71, verses 20 and 21:
“You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth. You shall increase my greatness and comfort me on every side.”
Pastor Carter shares:
You know my friend, these words couldn’t have been written, except by somebody who has known what it’s like to be down, and has had the pleasure of experiencing the hand of God lifting them up again. I know what that feels like; I’ve been there. I’ve been there more than once in my lifetime. I remember being so sick one time that I cried out to God, and God heard my prayer.
And He lifted me out of a situation that could have overwhelmed me in the natural and He revived me again, and He brought me up from the depths of the earth and He increased the ministry that He gave to me, and brought me comfort on every side.
I’m so thankful for people like Pastor Carter that are willing to step forward and share (daily and weekly!) … for shared experience can often times translate into empathy and encouragement.
