Dr. George W. Truett, who pastored the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas for nearly fifty years, told about an unbelieving couple whose baby died suddenly. Dr. Truett conducted the funeral and later had the joy of seeing them both trust Jesus Christ.

Many months later, a young mother lost her baby; again Dr. Truett was called to bring her comfort. But nothing he shared with her seemed to help. Then at the funeral service, the newly converted mother stepped to the girl’s side and said, “I passed through this, and I know what you are passing through. God called me, and through the darkness I came to Him. He has comforted me, and He will comfort you!”

Dr. Truett said, “The first mother did more for the second mother than I could have done, maybe in days and months; for the first young mother had traveled the road of suffering herself.” If we have experienced tribulations, they can help us identify with other sufferers and know better how they feel. We do not need to experience exactly the same trials in order to be able to share God’s encouragement; but if we have known God’s comfort, we can “comfort them which are in any trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Verse to Remember: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).

Other verses: Psalm 140:12; 2 Corinthians 7:6; Galatians 6:2.

Action assignment: Recall two or three difficult experiences you have had. Consider how they have prepared you to minister to others. Ask God to enable you to help people who are going through similar experiences.