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When we share an experience with others it gives us an
automatic connection. That connection is important,
especially if you are enduring something difficult, like
loss, suffering, pain, hurt, disappointment or
temptation. Its good, necessary and relieving to
connect with someone who has "Been there, done that."
Life will be a struggle at times. On that you can
depend. We can deal with the struggles in one of two
ways: 1) become isolated, internalize and try to deal
with it solo, or 2) open up, find someone who has "Been
there, done that" and share the experience so that you
can find peace, hope and comfort.
One of the coolest attributes about Christianity is that
our God sent His son to walk in our shoes. The God, the
creator, the giver-of-life, came to the earth he created,
to live. Why would he do that? It isn't because he
wanted your shoes. The plan was for Jesus to lay his
life down as a sacrifice that we might gain access to
the Father.
BUT, part of that process also involved Jesus walk on
this earth. He was an example, a role model, for how
we should live. In that process he experienced what we
experience. "He himself suffered when he was tempted."
Of course he passed every test without faltering.
Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who
is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have
one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are
yet was without sin."
All of that to say, 1) Don't struggle alone. Find peops
that have been through what you are going through. And
more importantly, take your concerns and hurts and
weaknesses to Jesus. He was tempted. He suffered. He
sympathizes. He can relate. Its that connection I
spoke of. Because of his human life experience, he is
relevant to all of us.
And 2) Share your testimony. You have struggled. Let
God use your story to give hope to someone else who
might be in your shoes. No, they don't want your shoes
either. BUT, they want to hear your story, to identify.
Ultimately to find hope.
What an awesome God. That He would get in our world,
see things as we see them, live life as we live, in
order to be able to say, "I know. Been there, done
that."
Lp
Lp is a multi-disciplinary artist, excelling in music
and design. Check out some of his work at
www.leaderdogs.com and
www.nicolaperry.com.
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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 
