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Key Bible Verses: God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Bonus Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:5-7; Psalm 13

As I write this, I hear my son Isaiah crying and making moaning noises. Isaiah [is a special needs child] with fragile X syndrome. He's now reached the end of his first decade, and he has yet to speak his first words, other than "Noooooo" and "Mama." He's still not toilet trained—though we are working on it.

The first year of Isaiah's life seemed normal. Then on a warm summer day in 2000, we got the test results: Isaiah was full-mutation fragile X. I stumbled around our property weeping, confused, heartbroken. At one point I lifted my voice to heaven and handed in my resignation: "God, I am through being a worship leader and songwriter. …"

When I was able to be quiet enough to hear, I sensed God holding out his hand and inviting me: "Will you still trust me? Will you go on even with your broken heart—for who will relate to my people who are heartbroken if not those like you who are acquainted with disappointment?"

I used to think people were most blessed by our great victories. But now I know differently: People are just longing to hear leaders speak of how they have walked through the deepest valleys. The world lifts up the victorious and the successful, but God lifts up the brokenhearted.

—Brian Doerksen in Make Love, Make War

My response: How might God use my painful experiences to minister to others?

Thought to Apply: Jesus is God's wounded healer: Through his wounds we are healed. As followers of Jesus we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others.—Henri Nouwen (Christian writer)

Adapted from Make Love, Make War (David C. Cook, 2009) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

Copyright © 2010 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Prayer for the Week

Heavenly King, prepare me for battle against the powers of darkness; help me to daily put on the "shining armor of right living."

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