God uses broken people

Have you ever wondered how God could possibly be doing something positive in some of your hardest and most challenging times? Have you ever looked at "deeply broken" people and wondered what good could possibly come from what they have gone through or are going through?


Well let me provide an example of how God uses us as we become comforters for Him. I met a young lady in her early 20's who has struggled with addictive issues for the last 10 years or so. It has been in the forms of drugs, alcohol and sex and other areas. Her last few years of life have been especially hard as she has found herself in and out of rehab a couple of times.


Praise the Lord that within the last few months she has been drawn to God and made a decision to commit her life to Christ just 2 months ago. Since that time she has been growing in her faith and loves to be in God's presence. She is learning so much and wants to help others.


Last night I had the chance to introduce her to another friend of mine that has really struggled with drugs and alcohol lately. I stepped back and listened as this new believer shared a small portion of her journey over the past few months and how drugs and alcohol almost destroyed her life. She talked about how she tried to fill that empty place in her heart with all kinds of things, but the only real difference occurred when she chose to allow Christ to fill that place.


Do you see what happens when a person who has been broken is restored? They have that desire to help others so they don't keep going down that same road they journeyed down. They also have an advantage as they can really identify with the struggles of others as they understand the call of the addiction.


I want to encourage you too. No matter what you are going through, God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He will work through your hurt and allow you to help others in due time. In the midst of your trial ask God to give you the grace to deal with it and ask Him to teach you how to use your pain to help others.


I am looking forward to the conversations that will be had between these two folks I introduced to each other. I am trusting God that He uses the previously broken to help the presently broken.