We all know the old proverb: "I shouldn't criticize someone until I've walked a mile in his shoes." The idea of our experiences contributing to our understanding of our fellow humans is not new. We've all heard it. When I read, however, that sometimes I need my pain, my problems, my mistakes to help someone else, that brings to mind all sorts of criticism of how life goes for me..."you mean (I say), that I went through all the garbage I did just so somebody else could get help?" No, not quite. However, God is a wonderful economist. He doesn't necessarily "do things to us" just so we can make someone else feel better, but He does use things that happen to us so that we CAN help someone else.
Here's what He says about that:
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, by the same comfort we received from God.
2 Cor 1:3-4
With God, nothing is "for no reason." He does what He does with purpose, and it always has meaning. In pain? Suffering? James says "Pray." Why? So thst God can use what has happened to you, to give you the ability to help someone else. Why pray? Because, as James says, God is there to help you through your tough times--"you have heard of the end result of the Lord's dealings; that the Lord is merciful and compassionate..." this is reference to Job, and What the Bible says about God restoring Job's fortunes. God is good. Even when you don't see it, even when you suffer--He will take care of you and use you to give the same grace to other people that He has given to you. And He WILL restore your fortunes.
