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
Have you ever found yourself in a place where God used you to encourage, or help someone through something that you yourself had walked through? I’m sure you have, because that’s how it works. It’s after you’ve “come through” it yourself and gained a new perspective, a newfound faith, and learned things you never knew before, that you can help someone “go through” as well.
On the very night that Peter denied Jesus three times, Jesus told Peter before hand what would happen. Jesus tried to prepare Peter as best he could for what was coming but to no avail. Peter was being “Simon” that night and when under pressure, he denied he ever knew who Jesus was. After that third denial, Jesus’s loving eyes meet Peter’s and it was more that he could take. Luke 22:62 says, “And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.”
I’m so glad for Peter’s sake the story doesn’t end there. You see for Peter a “Conversion” was soon to take place that would change everything. Jesus even told Peter ahead of time it would come and when it did, Peter would really have something to talk about. Luke 22:31-32 says, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
This word “Converted” means “to cause to return, to bring back.” In other words “Peter, when you come full circle back to Me strengthen your brethren.” It’s when we “go through” and come out on the other side only to find ourselves back in His loving embrace that we have a story to tell. It’s after you thought to yourself, “this time I’ve gone to far” and you still find the open arms of a Loving Heavenly Father just waiting for you, that you have something to share with others that will bring them hope and strength.
What have you walked through and yet come “full circle?” What ever that is God wants to use you to encourage and strengthen someone with your story. So today, ask God to show you who that is and then “strengthen thy brethren.”