Being transparent

2 Corinthians 1:4 tells us that He comforts us in all of our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God.

Here lately I’ve had many opportunities to help others in a way that brought me back to places God has delivered me from. My heart bleeds as people trust me with their burdens because I’ve been exactly where they are at. How blessed are we to be able to help others simply because we can understand where they are at…?! It humbles me to be taken back and reminded of places I have been in. There have been some times in my life that were so dark that I could have never made it through if it weren’t for the Lord carrying me through them. But time after time, God has proven to me that no matter where I’m at, or even why I’m there, He will always come through for me if I call on Him. Sometimes there may be a gap between when we pray and when we actually see our answer but He strengthens us during the gap. It’s in the gap (or the wait) that we grow as people. His people. It’s in the gap that our faith is strengthened. And it’s in the gap that we learn things He is wanting to teach us. It’s where our tests will be. The gap the hardest part, but it is also the most necessary.

I believe a lot of what people feel that they can’t cry out to God for help because of the sin they have committed and are even still committing when needing Him. Who would’ve thought that in those dark times of my life He would have even helped me considering the things I had done and were still doing?! Psalms 136:1 tells us they it is through His mercy that we are not consumed, His compassion does not fail. His mercy is new every morning, great is His faithfulness.

So do not let the enemy lie to you and tell you that you can’t cry out to Him for help! Honestly, it was through Him showing me so much mercy and love regardless of my sin that lead me to turn from my ways. Him proving to me that He loved me regardless of all that I had done was my biggest influence…

I’m not saying that we can just wilfully continue to not change our ways. But God weighs our hearts. When we fall short, when we slip and fall, when we backslide, or whatever the case may be, we can always run back to him or cry out to him in the midst of our circumstances because His blood covers us..

So because God has delivered me from so many situations in life, I’m able to help others. What God will do for me He will do for you.

So here is my question. How can we make a difference in the lives of others if we aren’t real with them?? We live in a society where many are more concerned with status than being transparent for the sake of compassion. And if we get caught up in this… how will people take us seriously?? How will they feel that we would even understand where they are at?? Its because of this that we have to be real with people. We have to lay our pride down and let the love of Christ in us to stand.

I’m not saying that we have to tell people everything about us in an unnecessary way that they do not need in the moment, I’m saying that when we can help someone have being where they are at, DO IT.

This is why it bothers me when I see people that think a Christian could never understand their struggles or their temptations. It is through Christ alone that we overcome.

I encourage you to not let fear, shame, or any other lie from the enemy stop you from making a difference in someones life. Romans 8:1- there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

Reach out to people in love, help them when you can and remember..There is power in the name of JESUS.