Most of us prefer to drive or walk on a paved road rather than a dirt or rocky road.  A paved road has all the rocks removed and all the potholes smoothly filled.  Travel is much quicker and easier.  When traveling on a paved road we do not comprehend very well the rocks or potholes that used to be there.  If we are asked to explain a rocky road we will have only head knowledge and no experience to back up what we say.

A rocky road leaves room for us to press our foot prints or tire prints.  The prints we leave behind is a statement of who we are.  People who come behind us will see our prints and know they are not the first to experience what we have experienced.  Life is the same way.

As we walk through difficult times it gives us two opportunities.  The first is an opportunity to truly understand what all is involved in growing past obstacles.  The second opportunity is to experience the presence of God as we walk through these times and see first hand how He comforts.

The obstacles we overcome make us a good listening ear for others who later experience the same.  If we ponder our lives and the times we needed to talk things out with someone, we quickly see that a person who hears us is far substandard to one who actually understands us.  God continues to create quality and the types of ministries that are helpful to others.  Obstacles in life are frustrating but as we allow God to walk us through we become more compassionate and loving toward other who experience the same.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ.