1 Thessalonians Chapter 5: Verse 11 (NIV)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5: Verse 16 -22 (NIV)
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
When someone is doing their best at something, they need encouragement just as much as someone who is having a tough time. It spurs them on to keep going, or motivates them to aim even higher. The Thessalonian church was doing well spiritually, but Paul pushed them on with words of encouragement. But he took them on to the next level by teaching them how to live when things got tough. His words have much to teach us about this too. Keep your joy, make prayer part of your daily life, never forget to be thankful, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. And its okay to test things out. God doesn’t want us to be duped. He wants us to be wise and to be able to handle whatever situations we find ourselves in. If someone ministers a word to us, we take it, ponder it and bring it to God. He’ll confirm if it came from Him.
The Thessalonians were going through a period of real growth, but Paul made sure to encourage them and provide sound teaching so that they were prepared and able to stand in their faith when times were tough. If we let Him, the Holy Spirit will also equip us to be able to stand firm, even when we’re having a hard time. He is after all our teacher and helper, and that’s when we need His help the most.
Dear Lord,
I am grateful for the encouragement given to me by Your Holy Spirit, whether directly, or through someone else’s ministry. Help me to always be open to His leading, which strengthens me in my walk with You. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.