• God doesn't want us to waste our pain. In 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul calls our Lord, "the God of all comfort," who comforts us in all our troubles — so we can comfort others with what we've received from him.
"Your deepest life message will come from your deepest pain," Rick says. "You're going to have pain. You may as well use it for good."
Rick recommends writing down the four most painful experiences in your life and looking at how God could use those. Nobody can help someone who has been raped like another rape survivor. No one can help a hurting veteran like another veteran. Nobody can help someone hurting from a divorce, death of a loved one or some other great loss like someone who has already been there.
Helping others can help us heal.
* God can show his love to us through others. I still find it amazing that ever since Chuck's accident in February 2013, God has put the right people at the right place and the right time — with the right word of comfort or expertise — right when I needed them.
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* God can use broken vessels. I felt so broken inside after Chuck coded and was unresponsive in the hospital. That's when the Lord reminded me of the woman who broke the alabaster jar of perfume and poured it on Christ's feet. The beautiful perfume didn't come out until the jar was broken. So I prayed that God would let what comes out of me be strengthening and encouraging to others and a fragrant offering to him.
I believe he's done that through these columns, speaking engagements and everyday conversations.
* God can bring healing and restoration. The same God who breathed life into the bones in Ezekiel's vision and motivated Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem can breathe hope into us and encourage us to rebuild, too.
Our God is the great restorer who turns crucifixions into resurrections. And Christ can be the lily of our valley, even if it's filled with the dry bones of broken dreams – because he can bring life to them.
* God can bring us peace. When hit with the gusts of adversity or drenched in the cold rain of despair, we must bring our problems to the only one who really can calm the storms in our lives.
As Christ told his disciples: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." I know this isn't the end of my life story and I trust the God who sees the future that I do not. I'm praying and trusting for better chapters ahead.
It is in trusting in the one true God that I find peace and hope for tomorrow. I look forward to the future when I will see my Savior and Chuck and other loved ones face to face.
And I think how nice it will be to thank them for their love — and for all the things they taught me.
Tammy Real-McKeighan is news editor of the Fremont Tribune. She may be reached at 402-721-5000, Ext. 1431, or tammy.mckeighan@ lee.net.
