Read: 2 Corinthians 7:2-7

We were troubled on every side.
Outside were conflicts , inside
were fears. -2 Corinthians 7:5

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Everything’s Fine. They’re
dedicated to ministering to people and everyone
respects them, but many feel uncomfortable around them.

They always speak in glowing terms about their
marriage and the joys of parenthood. They have a Bible
verse for every situation. One of their friends said,
“When I’m around them, I don’t feel free to say how I
really feel. When I do, they just tell me to `trust
God.’”

Now consider the apostle Paul. Instead of pretending
that everything was always okay, he was transparent
about his own struggles. This made people feel safe to
open up to him. Listen to his honesty: “Our bodies had
no rest, but we were troubled on very side. Outside
were conflicts, inside were fears” (2 Cor. 7:5).

Sharing those painful experiences and raw emotions
enabled Paul to give this sincere testimony:
“Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted
us by the coming of Titus” (v.6).

But how can greater honesty and transparency make us
more effective in our ministry to others? If people see
how Christ meets our needs when we’re struggling, they
will be more willing to trust Him themselves. And what
greater ministry could we have than this?
-Joanie E. Yoder

Wearing a mask that shows everything’s fine
Says that life’s struggles are not God’s design;
But when we’re open, transparent, and true,
People will trust God to meet their needs too. -Sper

THE MORE WE WORK AT WHAT WE SHOULD BE,
THE LESS WE’LL NEED TO HIDE WHAT WE ARE.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1999 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.

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