1 Thessalonians 5:11—”Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
In today’s world the overcommitting of ourselves to the activities in our lives, the lives of our spouses, children, parents etc. brings with it infinitesimal stresses. All this just to cope with our daily lives. As believers, we are called to do our bit for the kingdom of God (and which we would much rather be doing,) but we do live in the world. Our lives do go on. So, what happens? Though we attempt to think what is right and good and pure and holy (as the Bible recommends), though we try to preach with our actions of helping others, though we try to stay on the right and narrow path of righteousness, one fine day there it comes – a huge roadblock. We may call it a blow up, a meltdown, a down on your knees or hit the bottom situation. Well, this is to be expected. And please no, it is not the devil. Let’s leave him out of this one and not give him the credit for this as well. Unless we are connected to the Vine as branches, we will not have God’s intended life of peace. If we postpone our prayer time to after our favourite show on TV, we take on idols into our life. We invite trouble without knowing it. We do not have enough God ammunition in our souls to fight the devil when he comes a-calling. And well, even if satan doesn’t come calling, if we postpone Christ, we postpone the way, the truth, the life, the rock, the refuge, the place for rest.
Maybe, we have not faltered in our daily walk with God. These times may be mere trying times. We are called to help one another. Edify one another. Men go shoulder-to-shoulder with your brother to help him through his tough times. Women talk and pray together with your sister to see her through her storm. This activity is what we are called to do. We ought to join in prayer and praise God one with another, set a good example one before another. We must encourage, we ought to build each other up and work together so that the name our God may be glorified. So that the work of God’s kingdom is done here on earth and unbelievers will experience the glory of God and more importantly the love of God. Let God’s name be glorified in and through us.
So speak encouraging words to one another in faith and love. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind when Jesus comes.
