An Open Invitation from a Big Time Sinner

Recently, I shared my story with some people @ Reach Church. I feel nervous about sharing my story sometimes. I’m still tempted to believe that it’s too broken. My story has some serious darkness; my marriage was once in a terrifying valley. During that time, God showed me that I’m a big-time sinner who needs a big-time Savior. He convinced me of what David prayed in Psalm 16, that “I have no good apart from God,” He graciously taught me the gospel again.

One of my favorite parts of counseling that includes the Bible: It levels the ground between client and counselor. I'm a broken person. I need Jesus too. I need his mercy/wisdom every day. One of my favorite passages describes this:

“... the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

What does God offer me?

Comfort in the midst of any/all affliction. That’s why the Bible is in my counseling sessions.

What does this have to do with helping others?

God has comforted me so that I might be able to comfort others who are going through difficulty also! God uses our old valleys to help and bless people walking through new valleys. He can do this with anyone.

How do I comfort others? And what with?

“With the comfort that we ourselves have been comforted by God.” I don’t just want to give people myself. I don’t just want to help them discover themselves. I want them to see and know “the comfort of God” in new ways.

So I’m going to keep sharing my story with others: In counseling. In conversations. From any platform I have.

If you are in need of God’s comfort; if you are walking in a valley; if you feel that you must hide your brokenness because no one would understand — then from one sinner to another, I invite you to come do counseling. We can take comfort in “the God of comfort” together.