There have been times when the deepest things in me cried out, too. Sometimes, God filled the abyss Himself. Sometimes, He answered by connecting the hollow“deep” within me to the “deep” within others that was once hollow as well, but which He had filled.
My experience has been this: God knows the best help for the despairing comes from those who understand. Jesus' presence on earth showed us that God understands human existence because God himself experienced life on earth. In the same way, our experiences give us a window into the lives of others so that we have an opportunity to walk with them through hard times. Practially speaking, this means God will match "deep" with "deep."
- Recovery groups are headed up by people who have gone through (or are going through) the recovery process.
- Divorce Care class is headed by people who have experienced the pain of broken families.
- The best budgeting advice comes from people who had Ramen Noodles and water the whole way through college.
- The best marriage advice comes from people whose marriage has been through the fire.
- In the aftermath of my father’s death, I received the most comfort from others who were equally fatherless.
