2 Cor. 1 [The Message]

It has to be one of the most rewarding experiences in this life … to give a helping hand to someone who is going down. It’s better than winning the lottery! (If you do, you will instantly have bazillions of friends come out of the woodwork with their hands out) Seriously, being able to scratch someone exactly where they itch is great. Some people have much more than an itch. They may be facing ruin. Paul says you can help them with the experience you have in recovering from something similar.

God comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. [v. 4]

So, when you are in the middle of your challenge, just know that you will be better equipped to rescue someone else when they go through their valley. While you’re there, pick every lily you find. It’s the only place they grow.