1 Thessalonians 3: 5-8 (NIV)
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.But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 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.
Paul always took his mentoring and encouragement of fledgling churches very seriously. He told the Thessalonians that he’d been worrying that his suffering would have knocked their faith. However, he’d obviously taught them well about leaning on the Lord. He was overjoyed to hear from Timothy how well they were putting their faith and trust in Jesus into practice.
We too should encourage and mentor those who are young in the faith, but like Paul, we need to let them develop their faith and trust in God. They are not meant to be relying on us. Its God that they should be relying on.
Even when Paul was not with the Thessalonians and he knew that they were standing strong in their faith, he still took the time to pray for them, and so can we pray for all of those who we’ve encouraged and looked out for.
Dear Lord,
I will always be grateful for those You have used to encourage and support me. Help me to give that same encouragement and support to others whilst leaving them in Your hands. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.