By Autumn Nims
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Wiping the tears of our sisters is not for the faint of heart. Those who are effective at wiping the tears of others have experienced deep anguish. Those who know what it is to have tears wiped by another have walked the dark path of pain that is indescribable. Paul describes it as being crushed beyond what he could bear in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9. He said, indeed, we thought we would die!
But the God of all comfort! He gives us comfort and supplies us with the power to walk through the most difficult times— a crushing— to become tear-wipers for His glory. It is in the crushing that we become more! In the crushing and the anguish, we are strengthened for more. Being crushed beyond what you can withstand builds greater dependence on God.
A missionary friend of mine from Iran said, “Don’t pray that God would remove the persecution, but pray that we can withstand it, because this is what is drawing people to God.” She knew there was something greater happening than just the persecution. Because God’s work was being done in people’s hearts, she surrendered to and faced persecution with endurance, knowing that souls were being added to the kingdom.
Upon hearing about the fallen walls of Jerusalem and the remnant left there with no hope, the Bible says Nehemiah wept for many days. He mourned, fasted, and prayed for God’s City and its people. Nehemiah was in great anguish and broken over what had happened to his people and the Holy City.
David and his men returned from war and found the camp at Ziklag pillaged and attacked. All of their families were carried off captive by the enemy. The Bible says that David and his men were overcome with grief. They were in great anguish! The call to anguish sets the stage for a mighty move of God!
These are all scenarios where a mighty move of God came after great brokenness and great grief.
The greatest cry of anguish and mourning was in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew the time was nearing when he had to complete his mission on earth. In the garden, he brought friends to pray with him. The Bible says his anguish was so intense that drops of blood fell from his skin. He even asked God to remove the cup of suffering from him. Ultimately, he yielded to the will of the Lord. He accepted the suffering of the cross because of the greater work that would come from his anguish, grief, and suffering.
We know the victories that came from the Bible’s three examples: Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls, sparking a revival. David took his anguish to God, and he went after the Amalekites and recovered everything they took from him. Jesus, the greatest victory of all, rose on the third day and gave all of mankind the gift of eternal life.
We understand that our suffering develops qualities that strong and faithful believers need. God desires warriors, not weaklings. The more you seek comfort, the more you rely on Christ, who gives strength. Our suffering builds patient endurance. Eventually, you must reach a point where you welcome suffering because of the good traits it fosters in the believer’s heart.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:2-5
It is difficult to decide to welcome trials and tribulations. It is not in our nature to say: Oh yes, I welcome the divorce that my spouse wants. Oh, I welcome my child running wild and not serving the Lord, oh I welcome this chronic pain… or the loss of this job… It’s just not in us. It simply isn’t.
God doesn’t waste the tears and pain we experience. He equips us to wipe away others’ tears and offer comfort to those who are hurting deeply. There is great healing in stepping outside of your own struggles to help lift someone from their deep despair. That’s how God designed it. The scriptures tell us, “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 This verse outlines our mission! Wiping away tears is a global mission for those who serve faithfully and fearlessly in the mission field, especially in dark places where the persecution of believers in Jesus is common.
Why has IWM wiped tears for 15 years? To help them endure persecution and trials so that God can fulfill a greater purpose on Earth—bringing souls into the kingdom.
