“The Lord wants to press His love into you through pain.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 5, 2024
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT
At the end of 2023 following my cancer diagnosis, I prayed in the wee hours of the morning when I couldn’t sleep, “Lord, please press your love into me through pain.” Cancer had created a lot of discomfort in my ribs, shoulder, knee, and leg and I wanted God to use the pain to make me more compassionate.
This was about the time it became impossible not to notice hurting people. People in wheelchairs, with scars, with limps. They were everywhere in Uber cars, on walking trails, and even in the YMCA locker room.
About this time, I was unable to walk upstairs at our daughter’s house, where I stayed for three months for support. Cancer was causing excruciating pain in my left leg and knee. This meant I couldn’t take a shower alone and was unable to walk up the stairs to the bathroom for a shower. One day I got an idea. What if I take a shower at a gym? My husband said, “Great idea! There’s a YMCA right around the corner.” So, almost every day someone from my family drove me to the Y where I hobbled into a shower in the locker room, and thanked Jesus for increased independence!
Then, something glorious started happening. Almost every time I went to the Y, I met someone who needed prayer and the Holy Spirit quickened me to the people around me. It was impossible not to notice them. The hurting woman with the walker, the woman shuffling slowly by, the homeless lady, the woman who had brain cancer surgery. The Holy Spirit was moving in me and on me to pray, so I did. Unlike I had ever experienced before, the Lord made me bold.
I would notice someone, feel a pull to approach them, introduce myself, learn about their story and share mine. Then, I would ask if I could pray for them. Every single person was appreciative and said yes. I put my hands on shoulders and petitioned the God of heaven for full healing. I felt Jesus’ love. I sensed His presence. I listened for His voice. Tears were shed and hugs were exchanged.
The Lord has orchestrated divine encounters over and over for me since my time in St. Louis. It has brought me deep joy and love for others like I have never experienced before. Jesus has indeed pressed His love into me through pain. Even now as I write this, it makes me cry tears of gratitude!
You may be in a difficult spot right now and you are hurting. Like I have done—and am doing—you are asking God to deliver you. There is nothing wrong with that. Jesus loves you and cares for you. But be encouraged! If the Lord takes time in answering your prayer for deliverance, He wants to do something beautiful through it. He wants to press His love into you through pain and make you more compassionate.
This may not seem like much of a consolation when you are hurting. I get it. Be encouraged! The joy I have now I have because God has given me more concern for others that has filled me up in ways I haven’t known before. Yesterday I said to my husband, “You know what feels really good? Loving others.”
If you’re going through something hard, don’t allow it to make you bitter. Don’t let the devil use it against you. Don’t allow him to steal God’s good gifts that He wants to give you through it, including being a blessing. If Satan can give you an ungodly perspective, he can rob from you and from others too. Don’t let it happen.
Decide to allow God to use your trial to be a gift to someone else. Ask Him to press his love into you through pain.
“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Prayer
Lord, I praise you that you use all things in my life, even my most difficult trials. Give me greater compassion for others because of my pain. Press your love into me through pain. Make me more like you. Amen.
Application
Ask the Lord to help you notice others who need to be encouraged or prayed for. Listen to Him for guidance.
Related Reading
John 14:16; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1
Worship Resource
Don Moen: Somebody’s Praying for Me
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