1 Peter 5:8-10 English Standard Version

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

What have I experienced that might be of use to someone?

In these verses is one word in which I pray will offer help to some reader somewhere. That word is confirm.

There was a time in my earlier training that I was part of a ministry team that stood before the congregation to offer help. Being the newest member of the team I found myself without anyone that chose to come to me. Long lines formed in front of the others. People were willing to wait to be ministered to by the ones they had confidence in as servants of the Lord. I was an untested resource.

Then one day, a man in pain was desperate enough to get out of the long line and come to me, who had no one before me. He told me of his pain. I laid hands on him and the Holy Spirit moved in power and healed him immediately.

Was I gifted with the power to heal? No. Did this man deserve to be healed more than the others? No.

What happened was the Lord used an opportunity to confirm in me that Christ could and would use me if I made myself available in whatever manner He should so choose.

If anyone out there feels the way I felt, unused and unwanted, do not lose heart. Do not give up because the Lord is the one who restores, confirms, strengthens and establishes.

Just keep making yourself available.