Growth

…therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.  2 Thes 2:4

This verse obviously comes on the heels of yesterday’s verse – the one where Paul had expressed delight in the fact that the Thessalonians had grown in their love for one another.

As I pondered this whole thought, an awareness began to reveal itself in my heart and mind.  When I am struggling because of some difficulty in my life,I am not truly attentive to the needs and situations of believers around me.

Part of the Thessalonians’ show of perseverance and faith was found in their love for and interactions with one another.  They suffered hardships but did not hole up and become blind to those around them. 

I so often tend to be just the opposite.  I get so caught up in my own struggle that I miss the struggles, joys, pain, and successes of others.  I miss the chance to minister to or celebrate with them.  As my own “issues” ease up, it is often as if I’m awakening from a long slumber, suddenly discovering all I missed.

Even as I type this I realize what the fundamental problem is.  My eyes tend to be on my struggles rather than on my Savior.  As the Thessalonians grew, their faith grew.  A growing faith is a growing focus on God and a lesser focus on the things of this earth, whether joys or sorrows.  When we have an increased focus on Him, then He works through us to meet the needs of those around us.  I’m challenged to grow in that focus on my Father, just as the Thessalonians did.  And I am excited to see how my eyes are open and my life is used by God!

Growth

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows every greater;  2 Thes 1:3

This verse excited me so greatly this morning.  Why?  Because in 1 Thes 4:9-10, Paul told the church that he was thankful they loved one another, but they needed to excel even more in that love.  2 Thes 1:3 shows that they did just that!

I love seeing lives changed.  It delights me to no end when the godly teach one another, and those who hunger to grow in Christ take heed to that teaching. 

Oh how I hunger to be one who is taught and whose growth is evident!  So often pride gets in the way and I buck against the teaching, but I desire to consciously change that trend. 

Visible growth is a beautiful thing.  And that is my challenge:  To accept the teaching of my spiritual leaders without irritation or pride and then to have those teachers come back and see my growth and rejoice in it. 

Always Encouraging

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Therefore comfort one another with these words.  1 Thes 4:18

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thes 5:11

These two verses fall within very specific discussions of comforting when a believer has died and encouraging in light of Christ’s second coming.  But, a more general thought occurred to me today.

How often do I intentionally encourage and comfort others?  Not just when they are struggling.  Not just when they are discouraged.  Not just when they are grieving.  But at all times?  According to the instruction of Hebrews 3;13?

Unlike people who cannot seem to open their mouths without uttering some form of encouragement, I am not in the habit of offering encouraging and strengthening words in all seasons.  I tend to limit it to when people are obviously struggling or hurting.  I tend to be a more task-oriented person, focusing on speaking and acting when there is a specific task to be accomplished.   That’s how God created me.  So, my challenge is to to get into my head that one of my tasks is to continually, daily, and regularly encourage and comfort those around me rather than waiting until they are grieving or struggling.  I hunger to become one of those people who is always encouraging.