Scripture: 2 Cor 1:3-5

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. — 2 Cor 1:3-5

God has anointed you to be His hand of blessing, healing and restoration to a hurting and broken world.

We can be His instrument of love and healing by:

1. Looking Inward Realistically

2. Looking Outward Emphatically

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1. Looking Inward Realistically

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. — Jn 16:33

Troubles and sufferings come because:

• We are not perfect
• Our body is not perfect
• We live in a fallen world
• Full of fallen people
• Full of natural and human-caused disasters
• Full of demons and wicked spirits
• Full of hatred for Christians

How to face troubles and sufferings realistically and courageously?

A. Expect Them with Faith and Prayer

• Faith — our greatest asset
• Prayer — our greatest weapon
• Better not Bitter

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Th 5:16-18

Surrender your life and all to God and give Him the power to:

• Make you what He wants you to be
• Help you learn all the lessons you need from your pains, sorrows, and sufferings
• Help you grow your faith and strengthen your spiritual muscles
• Enable you to experience His ever-sufficient grace, peace, and joy in greater measure
• Usher you into His presence and enjoy His goodness in a real, special, and powerful way

B. Embrace Them with Confidence and Trust

Why? Because God is with you!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. — Dt 31:6

3 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" — Heb 13:5-6

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restoresrefreshes my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs overoverflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.— Ps 23:1-6

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isa 40:28-31

But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. — Isa 43:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. — Ps 46:1-2

With Christ in our vessel, we can smile at the storms.

We can let God take control of our lives and situations and bring deep healing to our tired and wounded souls.

Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. — Rom 12:1-2

57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. — 1 Cor 15:57-58

C. Endure Them with Hope and Joy

Weeping may endure for a night, but (rejoicing) comes in the morning. — Ps 30:5

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. — Rom 8:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened , and I will give you rest. — Mt 11:28

I can’t, but God can!

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Storms of life will come with greater intensity in the days to come.

1. Expect them with Faith and Prayer

2. Embrace them with Confidence and Trust

3. Endure them with Hope and Joy

Then you can be of a great help to others.

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2. Looking Outward Emphatically

With your experience, you can be God's and hand of blessing, healing, and restoring to the sick, troubled, lost, discouraged.

• You know and can understand their pains
• You can help without prejudice
• You can comfort and encourage with the comfort you have received from the Lord
• You can love and empathize with the love of God within you

How to help and restore the wounded?

When God shows us a need/situation, we must:

• Show up - greatest intention
• Love up - greatest force and motivation
• Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord
• Pray up - greatest weapon - pray for signs, miracles, breakthroughs
• Follow up - greatest treatment

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Challenge

When troubles and sufferings come:

1. Expect them with Faith and Prayer

2. Embrace them with Confidence and Trust

3. Endure them with Hope and Joy

Dedication

Be a Blessing. With God’s help, strength and power:

1. Show up

2. Love up

3. Pray up

4. Follow up – if necessary

We have experienced God’s grace, mercy and blessings. Let’s shower them to those who are hurting around us.

Remember: We are RESTORED to Restore the hurting

9 Let us not become weary in doing good,for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. — Gal 6:9-10