Joining the Body

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” – I Thessalonians 5:11

EDIFY – instruct and improve, enlighten morally, spiritually, and intellectually

In the early days of being sick, all I could ever do was beg God to remove my pain. Medicine and medical treatment were rarely successful, and I felt trapped in a body of torture. All I could cry was, “Take it Jesus. Please, take it.”

My sister was always there for me, praying with me through the pain, specifically telling me to praise Him through the pain. So my new theme song began, “Even When It Hurts, I’ll praise You.” (Hillsong United)

But that still wasn’t enough.

My sister was a part of an online women’s ministry. Through this ministry, she heard a young girl’s testimony of battling sickness and anxiety. This girl had learned from God to not only ask God to remove the pain but to ask Him why it was there to begin with. What was the purpose? 

Upon changing my perspective and prayer, I soon learned that the purpose was to use my pain and suffering to encourage others.

“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” – I Peter 5:9

When I finally received my diagnosis, I was told it was a rare condition. I could have assumed that by how few doctors even knew what to do with me. But hearing that final answer was not as relieving as I had imagined.

With IH being rare, I felt like the last person on earth. I had no one to talk to. I had no one going through what I was going through. I felt alone.

But I continued to listen to God.  I had to serve my purpose, and find the others who were suffering and in pain.

In listening to God, I became edified. I had been instructed. I was being improved. God was enlightening me in every area of my life, morally, spiritually, and intellectually.

And I found the others. I was not alone. And now you can know that you are not alone.

“who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” – II Corinthians 1:4-7

I suffered. I experienced unbearable pain and sickness. I lost nearly everything dear to me. But Christ comforted me. He showed me supernatural strength and peace and power.

And now to you, the others, who are suffering, I know that you can experience that same comfort and power.

If I can, so can you. I am not alone. You are not alone. We can share in His love together just as we share in our suffering together.

“from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” – Ephesians 4:16

But this purpose isn’t just for me. We all play a part. We all have a role in this purpose.

Just as our bodies are created with such detail, every part doing its job to help us function, we are people composing the body of Christ.

In us joining together through Christ, we are all becoming edified. I have learned. I have grown in strength and endurance and wisdom. And you can too. When we come together and play our part, we can serve our purpose in Christ.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

EXHORT – strongly encourage, urge

Had you asked me in school what I would be when I grew up, this would not have been the answer. Had you asked me five years ago where I would be today, it would not be here.

I was an introvert. I was not bold. I had no interest in people.

But God moves mountains. Now look where I am! Speaking to hundreds of people every day! Showing sides of me that no one was ever supposed to see! Because God is an edifying God!

We all try to avoid the hard stuff in life. We all prefer to hide in the shadows and let someone else do it Who is more capable.

But if God gives you a purpose, He will equip you for that purpose! He needs us to be bold. We have to step out of our comfort zone as if He is on the next step. We have to keep striving for Him.

The end times are here. The Day is coming. This is why I exhort you to be bold in your purpose. I strongly encourage you to act on your faith. I urge you to keep pushing forward!

And watch how it all comes full circle.

The girl in the women’s ministry inspired my sister. My sister inspired me. This gave me every push that I needed to push you, and eventually I was able to step out and be a part of that same women’s ministry inspiring others! 

You never know how far God will work. And like Abraham, you may never see the end of it, but He is always working. He is always ready to edify you as long as you’re ready to exhort others to Him.