Within your own wilderness has come a well of wisdom.

 

Who knew pain could carry promise and valleys could birth life changing legacy.

 

God did.

 

In all of the thick of despair was a teaching like rain whereby scriptures became more than texts on the page and were indeed engraved upon your heart forever.

 

There was life jumping off the page because you could no longer live without the breath of God in any given moment.

 

Knowledge can be good but the Spirit really does give life.

 

The crushing produced an oil and now you can see the sweeping comfort coming from your years of sowing in tears.

 

You’re a better pastor for it. A better preacher because of it. A better comforter. A better friend. A better lover of broken hearts.

 

Painful seasons can birth bitterness or fruitfulness.

 

In those who decide to yield to the Potter working you as clay will find a deeper fruit of the Spirit because you once needed the same fruit to help you out of that prison.

 

The long-suffering is now second nature because you know what you needed and you’re able to see the need and gladly give it.

 

Jesus in you has wrought a patience in affliction that now carries into your ministry.

 

Your shepherding is gentler.

 

Your self-control is more kept in check so not to wound the wounded.

 

Your peace holds true as you tenderly allow Holy Spirit to guide the hurting rather than you getting in His way.

 

The kindness that draws men to repentance is readily on your lips because you know, now, how significant that one fruit of the Spirit can be when you’re steeped in pain.

 

There’s a moment when you feel Jesus in you gives a gentle nod because He knows you just realized what you poured into a grieving heart was birthed in your own dying season.

 

And suddenly you can have the final say over that troublemaking devil as he hears you whisper…

 

It is finally well with my soul.