Lesson 19: God’s Sovereignty Uses Difficulties to Cause Us To Be A Blessing to Others

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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."

Did you know that we are not the only ones who benefit from our personal suffering? Many times it is also meant for the comfort or blessing of another person. I have learned this truth time and time again in my own life. For instance, I would never wish upon anyone the hellish life of drugs, sexual immorality and selfishness that I lived before becoming a Christian. But I can honestly look back now and thank God that I went through it all because when it was all said and done, I got saved. More than that, I have watched how God has not only comforted me in my pain but He has even used my wretched past over and over again to bring comfort to others who may be struggling with the very same things that I went through. That is a level of comfort only someone who has been there and done that can give to another person.

Each of us has the ability to be a tremendous blessing to another person in distress that the rest of us may not be able to. Every one of us has our own unique set of difficulties which means that every one of us can uniquely comfort others with the same comfort God has extended to us. Therefore, working together, we can comfort a multitude of people in a multitude of situations. God is so sovereign that He can recycle our tears and turn them around to be a tremendous blessing for others. That is what we all pray for. All because God is Sovereign.


Remember Esther’s struggle when she had to face the king under the threat of death for coming to him without being called? The certain knowledge that the lives of many thousands of people rested on her shoulders pushed her into action. Knowing she alone could save their lives made the danger worth it.

There is nothing worse than having to go through difficulties thinking there is no rhyme or reason to them. Therefore, what a healing balm to a broken heart when we learn that in our relationship with God there are no accidents, but always a reason. What an incredible truth to redeem the pain of all life's trials when we can see that God is so sovereign that He creates value and purpose even in our sufferings. Therefore, knowing something as basic as “God is Sovereign” really does save people from a lot of unnecessary pain.

This is the awesome message we get to tell others: "God not only exists, but through Jesus Christ people really can have an intimate personal relationship with the Creator of the universe!"

* How have you demonstrated this to others with your life or with your words this week?