Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)
Encouraged. Is that how you feel today? Encouraged? Probably not. There is so much in life that leaves us feeling discouraged. The day hardly ever goes the way you planned it in the morning. Even the simplest things somehow manage to be difficult. Are you feeling more discouraged than encouraged?
Paul understands. Nothing in his life went according to his plans, especially as he traveled around as a missionary. It wasn’t his plan to face a riot in Thessalonica and be forced to flee. His life was filled with distress and persecution. How does that sound? Discouraging.
Except, Paul wasn’t discouraged. On the contrary, he said he was “encouraged.” How? Well, he writes, “in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith….How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?”
Can you tell what encouraged Paul? Other Christians did. When he felt distressed, it was other Christians who encouraged him in his faith in Jesus. When he felt all alone, it was other Christians who encouraged him through their faith in Jesus. When he felt depressed, it was other Christians who encouraged him with the joy that comes from Jesus. That’s how he was encouraged: By his brothers and sisters in Christ.
God wants to encourage you in the very same way. When you feel distressed or depressed or alone, what do you do? I bet I can guess. I bet you separate yourself from other people. You stop going to church. You stay by yourself. Does that encourage you? I don’t think so! Realize this: When you’re feeling down, it’s the devil who wants to separate you from the encouragement of God’s people.
Instead, God wants to build you up through the encouragement of his people. When you’re discouraged, make time for church. Go to a Bible study. Call a Christian friend. Talk to your pastor. Witness the faith of a brother or sister in Christ. Know how you’ll feel? Encouraged.
Dear Lord God, it’s easy for me to feel discouraged and separate myself from you and your people. Forgive me! Instead, help me to find encouragement through other Christians and their faith in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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