“Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 AMP

“Sometimes coffee with your best friend is all the therapy you need.” There is more truth to this expression than most people may realize. One of the benefits of surviving any kind of struggle in life is the empathy gained in the process. Time and time again I have seen the direct result of God’s hand in my life as He has placed exactly the right people in my life at exactly the right times. Using His children to help and comfort each other through the difficulties of life is one of the most effective tools we are provided. How often have you heard yourself (or someone else) say, “Boy, if it wasn’t for so-n-so, I don’t know where I’d be” or, “I don’t know how I’d have gotten through all of that if it weren’t for so-n-so”?

Looking back over my life, I can see several instances where I’ve been encouraged and buoyed up in just the right way, which in turn gave me what I needed to keep moving forward in the face of whatever circumstances I was facing. God always makes a way, and I’m frequently amazed at His capacity for operating outside the box of life. When we feel we’ve hit a solid brick wall and we’re simply unable to see any possible resolution, the Lord will come back to us with a solution we never would have imagined. That’s because literally NOTHING is impossible with God.

I’ve learned to trust Him and His will, knowing that as long as I am doing everything I can to follow Him and live my life accordingly, He will make sure everything that needs to happen in my life DOES happen in my life. I am learning to stop keeping my mind focused on my own expected outcomes and instead focused on maintaining my faith in Him. If there is something I want desperately in my life, but it’s just not coming to pass, then it is up to me to trust that I am better off without it, whether temporarily or permanently. My expectation is less important than His planned outcome.

There are times in life when we have to be where we don’t want to be and do what we don’t want to do. It is simply inevitable. However, it is when we let go of our own issues, allowing ourselves to be present and in the moment, that we are most effectively utilized by God to accomplish His plans. Imagine that God has a beautiful picture of our life sketched out on a piece of paper…it’s a truly exquisite drawing. Then, we are given one of those clear sheets of tracing paper on which to actually live out our lives.

Now, ideally, we should lay our paper over the top of the sketch God gave us, and do our best to follow along with the image we are given. BUUUUUT, we are human beings with our own ideas of what our drawing should look like, so oftentimes we choose to try and sketch out our own ideas and ignore the drawing God has created for us. But imagine what it looks like when we lay our drawing over the top of God’s. The drawings won’t match up and what will manifest is a very confused, complicated image. Yes, it is our prerogative to draw whatever we want with our lives…but how much more beautiful and powerful will our final picture be if it is highlighted by the creation of God as its foundation??

This is why it is so important for us to help and encourage those God brings into our lives whenever we can. It is one way we are able to help our brothers and sisters stay close to the Father, making sure we’re doing our best to assist them in following the path God is laying at their feet. When we feel we are struggling and stumbling around our life, unsure of where we’re going or what we’re doing, it is incredibly important to seek God’s help in following the path He most wants us to follow. We will always get the most valuable help from those God has intentionally sends our way. When we seek help and guidance from God first, asking HIM to direct us, then we are much more likely to reach out and connect with those He has already anointed to give us the guidance He wants us to have.

Make sure that you choose to take time for those God brings into your life. When a loved one reaches out to you for advice and/or support, be sure to ask God to guide your words and your actions BEFORE you open your mouth and start telling them what you think. I’d say it’s much more important to be sure you’re helping them in the way God wants you to, as that will definitely be more advantageous for them. But, above all, make time for them. Put your phone down and allow them to have your attention, because simply being with someone isn’t giving them your time if you spend most of it distracted by and buried in your device. If someone is important to you, then you need to show it by giving them more than just words. Believe me, it makes a difference.