The Power of Encouragement!



1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

 Paul was so concerned about his new friends in Thessalonica, that he sent Timothy to check on them and see how they were doing.  Paul knew that the Thessalonians were going through trials because of their newfound faith.  Notice the two ways that Timothy can help.  Paul says Timothy would, "strengthen and encourage them."  The fact is being a Christian can be discouraging and at times we can feel very weakened by the circumstances around us. This is when we are most susceptible to temptation.  We might think that God doesn't care about us because we are suffering.  Or, maybe we have prayed about something important and not seen any corresponding results. 

 This was why Paul was so anxious for Timothy to go and encourage the Thessalonians.  Paul knew that Timothy had been through quite a bit with him in their missionary travels together.  Paul knew that Timothy had a gift of encouragement that he had experienced many times before through his young colleague.  The worst thing Paul could think of was that somehow these trials and the tempter's exacerbation of them would cause them to lose their faith.  He feared that his labor might be in vain.  I think Paul knew that those who had come to faith would stay in faith because God who began a good work in them would be faithful to complete it. But, he clearly had anxiety for them because of his great love for the Thesalonians, even though he had only spent a few weeks with them.

 This passage reminds me that one of the devil's most patented strategies is discouragement.  A discouraged Christian is a lot less likely to push forward God's kingdom in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Satan loves to discourage us with words like, "See I told you God didn't really care about you!" Or, "You gave into that same habit again, you can't really be a Christian if you keep on doing this." Who can you encourage today who might be going through a trial physically, emotionally or spiritually?  Your encouragement of them may mean more to them than you can imagine.  Why don't you pick up the phone or send them a text and/or email and let them know you are thinking of and praying for them!

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