Steve Allen created a 1970s talk show called Meeting of Minds, where he would interview famous people throughout history. Actors appeared in full character and interacted with Allen, giving fresh insight into what it was like to live their historically famous life.
Experiencing a significant trial in your life is like that. By shifting your focus from your own pain and suffering, you can find that God has increased your sensitivity to the condition of others in your path. You can see life through other’s eyes. And you may find that the comfort He gave you in your trial later benefits another who is going through a similar struggle in their life.
This walk through Leukemia has included an introduction to numerous symptoms that are not unlike the struggles others faces, physically, mentally, relationally, emotionally and spiritually. Some examples include:
‘Chemo brain’ that interferes with interferes with mental acuity and problem solving. Your inhibitions filter may falter and you end up saying things you normally would have kept to yourself or that might have been expressed more gently. Medications may cause you to feeling ‘wired’ at times, sometimes resulting in lack of sleep and other times crashing into depths where you temporarily lose sight of the ‘light’ of hope you need to find your way back. Emotions may flow more freely than you like, particularly if you are extremely tired and weak. This wears on caregivers too! Stress can cause sensory overload where everything seems amplified and you want to withdraw into a world where you can focus on just one thing. Other emotional and physical factors can lead you to feel less confident and question your ability to make valuable contributions.
And on the other side of the equation, these very trials give opportunity to find peace in the storm, faith when surrounded by fear, strength in your weakness, spiritual and emotional healing in the midst of physical disease, the safe harbor light of hope in a very dark sea of uncertainty, a thankful heart when there seems much reason to complain, the value of others when you are lonely, the contented joy that is intended to be found on your path of suffering. . . and the perspective to see others through their eyes, and offer them the comfort you have been given in your suffering.
What trials are you going through that increase your sensitivity to the needs of others around you, and that offer you the unique opportunity to experience deeper blessings that you might not find otherwise?
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
