In her her novel, Pay It Forward, Catherine Ryan Hyde tells the story of a boy's belief that a single individual can change the world. Of course we all know that's true, and my prayer this week is that we all will manifest this truth in our lives as Indie Business owners. Perhaps no where is the opportunity to make a difference more apparent than when we are given a chance to help another Indie through a difficult time.
Every week, I talk with Indies who are dealing with some really tough issues. Divorce, a young teen daughter's pregnancy, depression, family illness and death, job loss — the list is endless. And so is our opportunity to make a difference by paying it forward. That is, because we have endured a challenge or tragedy, we are therefore equipped to pay it forward by helping someone else do the same.
Undoubtedly, one of the reasons we suffer at all is so that we can help the next person coming along behind us. In this way, like the boy in Hyde's novel, our pain eventually allows us to be of service to others.
A verse in the Bible backs up this train of thought in the sense that, once you have suffered, you can help someone else down the road.
When my father passed away last year, I received many cards, letters, phone calls, blog comments and emails of heartfelt condolence. I appreciated every single one. But the ones that were most helpful were those sent by people who had lost a parent. They knew my pain firsthand and they could tell me what to expect. I could see from their lives that mine would go on, even without my beloved father.
It's always a blessing to be encouraged by someone who has triumphed over the very troubles that you are encountering. Their words of comfort and wisdom are meaningful because they have hiked the rough terrain before you, and emerged victorious.
Are you going through some tough times? Maybe God is giving you the experience that you'll need to help someone else later. And not only that, you are being strengthened in your spirit in the process. It is not wasted.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:4.
What Do You Think?
Have you been challenged lately? Or maybe you've enjoyed victory after a dark time and are now able to help someone else.
Pay it forward and encourage another Indie today. You never know whose life you will change simply by taking the small step of sharing your victory.
For more information about the Pay It Forward Movement, vistit the Pay It Forward website.
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