It’s interesting how God seems to bring us opportunities to minister to others in the exact areas we’ve experienced pain and trauma. God builds testimonies in us for the benefit of not only us but for others who have experienced or are experiencing some of the same things.
One night I found myself in front of a man handcuffed and laying on the stretcher inside of my rescue (ambulance). He had been arrested for breaking a window when he found his wife with another man. He had cut his arm and required medical attention.
He was emotional and distraught for good reason. I was ready to just stay out of his way as we drove to the hospital. I could relate to his pain but he seemed ready to explode with rage. But as I sat there the Holy Spirit began to touch my heart and compassion filled me. I asked the Lord to help me find a way into the man’s heart. Then I listened and heard the Lord say, “Tell him that you know what he’s going through.” It takes courage to discuss the areas in which we’ve experienced the most pain with others, especially strangers who are upset and cursing left and right. But I found some courage, looked into his eyes and said, “I’m sorry for what you’re going through. I know how you are feeling.”
I watched the rage leave his eyes and pain take hold. He asked me to explain. I quickly breathed a silent prayer asking God to lead my words and followed the promptings He gave me. I began to share with him some of my own experience walking through betrayal. I shared my own sense of injustice and the damage it did to me. I told him how it very easily could have and almost did destroy me.
I saw the desperate look in his eyes. He needed an answer; a way to survive. I silently asked the Lord to lead me in my response and followed what I heard. I told him that the only way I survived was because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. I told him that Jesus was the only way he would survive as well.
It’s in the pain of trauma that many of us begin to consider things that we wouldn’t otherwise. Despite the anger he was feeling, the words God gave me to share were hitting his soul. His heart was softening. I encouraged him to seek the Lord, as He is the comforter to those that mourn. I shared how Jesus rescued me from despair and transformed me.
As we arrived at the hospital, the man looked at me and told me that he was ready to change. He said he wanted to go to church and asked my partner (a believer) and I for information on local churches. My partner gave him the info for his church.
It’s important that we recognize we aren’t the only ones dealing with what we deal with. If God has built a testimony in you He wants to use it to help others. We must be willing to love others in that way. We must be able to hear His voice and have the courage to respond.
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara Birkey
www.reflectministry.com
[email protected]
jessebirkey.wordpress.com
twitter.com/JesseBirkey
http://www.facebook.com/LifeResurrected
Comments
My Betrayal
by Anonymous
My heart is comforted as I read this blog. I have also walked the path of being betrayed by the one that I thought loved me the most on this earth. I too, almost was destroyed by the pain and suffering it caused. I long for God to use it for His glory! Thanks for choosing life so that others can be encouraged to go on.
Thanks for sharing. I'm
by Jesse Birkey
Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry for the road you've traveled, the pain you've experienced. I remember clearly the battle for my soul the night my wife confessed. But God was with us, saved us, began to heal our broken hearts. It wasn't easy by any mean's but the more we both pursued the heart of God individually the more our marriage transformed. My wife and I wrote a book together called Marriage, What's the Point? In it we share our testimony of trauma and what our journey of healing looked like. We also share how we believe the enemy was able to work the scheme of destruction that he worked and how we found freedom from it. You can find it on amazon here or our website here. Our segment on the 700 club is also available on our website in which we share our testimony. We find that God is glorified when we share the testimony of His redemption of our marriage! He will build testimonies in you as you allow Him to heal you. And He will heal you :). Blessings,
Jesse
Thanks for reply
by Anonymous
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I sat here choking back the tears blinding my eyes as I tried to read it. Our world is filled with broken promises. Sad to say many people walk through betrayal alone. It's incredible that you had a close friend who stuck with you. Many times those we consider friends seem to scatter not knowing what to do with us in our insane pain.
My husband's betrayal turned into an addiction he wasn't willing to let go of. He had nurtured it too many years before coming clean and looking for help, therefore 7 years later we are still swimming upstream, not willing to give up on our 35 year marriage. The only way to fail is to quit and so we will keep running towards the high calling of Jesus Christ.
Keep doing what you're doing, God will use both of you mightily. I am SO glad you forgave your lovely wife. Our enemy hates marriages and so he will do crazy things to try to destroy them. Many blessings sent your way. I will surely get your books and pray for both of you. Thanks again for taking the time to reply.
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