You gain through your pain.

“NAOMI WAS LEFT WITHOUT HER TWO SONS AND HER HUSBAND.” RUTH 1:5 NIV

When their husbands died, Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah experienced a unique bonding process. Unless you’ve been through it, it’s hard to understand. It’s a fellowship not born of age, race, background or status, and it brings together the oddest combinations of people. When you’re hurting, don’t look for understanding and support from those who haven’t walked in your shoes. People can’t give you what they don’t have. Often the best they have to offer is the kind of advice that’s glib, and quickly becomes annoying. Furthermore, until you start to make sense of your pain and see the greater good in it, you can feel like a victim. But once you see God’s grace at work, and His hand in it all, you can begin to move ahead: to marry, to have another baby, to get another job, to dream another dream, to live again.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Just as old soldiers compare stories and scars, when we arrive at our heavenly home we’ll tell of the faithfulness of God Who brought us through. I wouldn’t like to be pointed out as the only one who never experienced sorrow, or feel like a stranger in the midst of that sacred fellowship. Therefore be content to share in the battle, for soon we will wear the crown.”

When life suddenly changes and you’re fighting just to get through another day, remind yourself that Satan hasn’t snatched the steering wheel from God. No, God is aware of what you’re going through and He still has a plan for your life. Be encouraged. You gain through your pain. Victory is born out of struggle. Hold on to His hand; He will bring you through this!