Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb. 2:18)
Why do we go through hardships and struggles? Have you ever asked this question? Have you ever wondered why life couldn’t just be a little easier? The unfortunate thing is that the existence of sin means we’re bound to go through hard times. The fortunate thing, however, is that God never abandons us and he gives us the strength to get through the struggles.
God does not do all the work himself; he chooses to use us to be his vessels on the Earth. He may not need us, but he wants to use us. And God wants to use you to help those who are struggling in the same ways you once did. When you have conquered a temptation or fought through a hard time, you can now bring others along with you, encouraging them with your story and offering practical discipleship and advice. On the other side of that, if you’re struggling through something, find someone who struggled with the same thing and seek their counsel.
If we take a step to help those struggling in the same ways we have, it just goes to show God takes what once was bad and uses it for something good. If you have found victory and freedom, use it to help others discover their victory and freedom as well.
Help someone who is struggling in the same way you were.
Ethan Zent is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He’s studying worship leading and pursuing Wesleyan ordination at Kingswood University.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
