When people see you in pain, they will come closer. 

And when they do, speak openly about your pain, so you can speak openly about your Hope. 

It may be uncomfortable at first. 

Am I somehow discounting the Hope I have in Jesus?

No. A resounding no. 

Honesty about your pain is credibility about your Hope. 

Pain is what gives your faith in Jesus legs. Legs that prove your faith is strong and going somewhere because it’s been hotly tested. 

Pain is what causes others to look you in the face, so they can witness the all surpassing Peace that you wear. 

Isn’t this precisely what Paul does in 2 Corinthians—

I‘m hard pressed. BUT I’m not crushed because of Jesus. 

I‘m perplexed. BUT I‘m not in despair because of Jesus.

I‘m persecuted. BUT I‘m not alone because of Jesus.

(See 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.)

“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:10.)

In your season of pain, some will come close. 

When they do, be open about your pain, so you can be open about your Hope.