God is Faithful: A Word of Encouragement

1 Thessalonians 5:23-25

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 25 Brethren, pray for us. NASU

Job 5:17-27

17 "Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. 18 "For He inflicts pain, and gives relief; He wounds, and His hands also heal. 19 " From six troubles He will deliver you, Even in seven evil will not touch you. . . 27 "Behold this; we have investigated it, and so it is. Hear it, and know for yourself." NASU

Faithful--God is faithful to finish what he starts.

Faithful--God is faithful to stand with us in our hour of desperation.

Faithful--God will not fail, he will not give up.

Faithful--if God has called us, he will complete that calling in us. He finishes what he starts (see Isaiah 66:9).

Think of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Gideon, Samson, Deborah, Barak, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Habakkuk, Jonah, Amos, Hosea, Jesus, the apostles, James, John, Peter, and Paul.

Think of poor young Timothy--his spiritual "father" Paul just died--he had his head removed by the Romans for preaching Messiah. And there sits Timothy. He arrived at the prison, the final home of Paul, but Timothy arrived just a bit too late. "Come before winter" Paul requested. Timothy hurried to Rome with parchments and supplies, only he arrived too late. Paul was dead.

We might be tempted to ask Timothy--"Is God really faithful? Does God finish what he starts?"

Tear stained eyes look up at us. A smile shows on a face that was just a moment ago contorted with grief.

"Is God faithful?" Timothy responds incredulously. He looks at us like we had three heads. "Of course God is faithful!" the disciple of Paul exclaims.

But, we might ask, you just lost your friend, your spiritual father. He is dead, gone, his life ingloriously snuffed out by the mad man Nero. Where is God's faithfulness in all of that?

Remember, dear reader, that God's constant faithfulness is not a guarantee against harm or even hard times. Paul knew that, and he knew the risks. But Paul was confident that God would empower him for the task at hand. He even wrote to dear Timothy--"If we are faithless, God is faithful" (2 Timothy 2:13).

Why is God faithful? Paul tells us it is because God cannot deny himself! God is always true to his own character.

Paul also reminded his disciple that hard times would come since "those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:2). In the midst of the storm, God is unable to deny his own essential nature of covenant love, of covenant fidelity, of faithfulness of humble service.

If God suddenly became unfaithful, the universe would literally fly apart at the seams, the world would cease spinning, the moon would crash into the ocean, life would cease, the sun would be snuffed out, the universe would cease its almost infinite growth. God can no more be unfaithful than a human can sprout wings or develop gills. God IS faithful because he is God! God does not change!

So, friend, what trial of darkness are we experiencing? Is it one of our own making, the result of mistakes and missteps in life? Is it an accident, simply the ebb and flow of life? Is it the result of righteousness? 

I'll tell you a secret--it doesn't matter where it originated--God is faithful still! Romans 8:28ff is still in effect.

Have we blown it? Hundreds of times no doubt! We need to make things right and remember--God works all things together for good. God is conforming his people to the image of his dear Son! He is faithful! 

Have you been treated badly for some good thing you've done? Be glad and remember that all things work together for good. Your present circumstances do not hinder God's faithfulness. God does not falter because your situation is so BIG. God is not intimidated by your situation or circumstance. 

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

For God to be unfaithful, he would have to deny himself. And that, dear friend, will never happen.

Thank you, God, for your steady commitment to us. Thank you for being constant and unmoving in your love for us. Thank you for your kindness that leads us to repent and for your faithfulness that calls us to faith. Thank you for the life and example of Jesus. Teach us to live as he lived. Thanks for listening to us!

Thank you, dear reader, for reading!

"Failed": A Word of Encouragement to those who think they are "Failures"

 “Failed.” Your greatest fear realized, you are certain you have failed. I mean, just look around at everyone else. They are succeeding. Their acclaim is clear. They are “living the dream,” and here you sit, failing again. I get it, you really tried. You had aspirations, dreams, you even put in some hard work to achieve what you thought was your “destiny.” You even experienced some early success—people seemed to clamor for your help, for your attention, for your advice. Now? Well, now you just sit wondering what happened. You went from helping hundreds (Is “thousands” too arrogant?) to basically being ignored. I understand. You hoped for more, longed for it, you even tried your best to obtain it.

“Failed.” It stings especially since no one wants to be second place (or, WORSE, “last” place)! How I hate failure, and yet how often I have felt like that is only thing at which I seem to succeed (there is an irony there, succeeding at failing). So, what do you do? Quit? That’s just more failure. No, here’s what you will do: you’ll get up tomorrow, brush your teeth, put on your clothes, and you’ll go out and live a life of service to others even if no one notices.

Here is the rub, though, people do notice. In fact, there are many (I am among them) who see your perseverance and stubborn obedience to Jesus and are encouraged. Your continued faithfulness to serve God and to serve others is evidence of a success. Right now it feels like “failure” is all you can see, but you need to understand that the story isn’t over yet. What seems like “failure” may result in amazing victory, only time will tell.

When you think you’ve failed, remember this: Jesus knows you and your heart. If you are heading towards him, you are no failure. There are also many of us who take courage from so-called “failures” like you. We see your faithfulness and your stubborn willingness to follow God no matter what, and we see HOPE and SUCCESS. I understand it doesn’t “feel” that way, but it is true nonetheless. Jesus is here for you, and so am I. I want to learn from and to bless you! Walk on, weary pilgrim, you aren’t home yet, and your witness/work here is not done. We need you!

Feeling Worthless and the Power of Affirmation

"I just feel worthless," he said quietly.

It wasn't the way he said it that attracted my attention, but it was his demeanor. This was a person who was in some sense utterly defeated. Everything about him echoed his words. Worthless. Useless. Empty.

I wasn't sure at first how to respond. Sitting before me was a shell, an empty person who felt as though he had absolutely nothing to offer.

I tried to help. "You're not worthless, just look at all you've accomplished."

The words sounded hollow, almost accusatory. His eyes flashed, but it wasn't "life" coming in. It was genuine anger. I had misunderstood him.

"No, you don't get it. I have nothing to offer. I am worthless. I am done."

The words hung in the air like heavy fog, demanding an answer. I honestly didn't know what to say.

If you knew this man, you'd be surprised at his self-evaluation. He earned several degrees (some from prestigious universities and with well known professors). He taught thousands of people, and he mentored many who would ultimately follow in his academic footsteps. He had traveled to a variety of places. He married well and his children were healthy, intelligent, and well behaved. He had rebounded from a moral failure and rebuilt his life and reputation. He was respected by his peers. He "had it all" in a country where such an existence was supposed to be the "American dream".

I wanted to remind him of these things, but he sat there glaring. His red eyes and sad look reminded me of an old derelict building left standing too long that now leaned and threatened to fall over. The supports were gone, the shell was hollow, there was nothing left. How do you rebuild on such a foundation?

The person sitting before me was an encourager. Many times I saw him take last place so that others would be acknowledged and even honored. He prayed that his students would accomplish more than he, and they did! Oh my, how well his students had done! The man went out of his way to make sure others were served, to make sure that others had affirmation, that others were encouraged. He was a Barnabas, and people would flock to him to receive his ministry of encouragement.

Yet here he sat, downcast, done, empty . . . How do you encourage the empathetic man of encouragement who has run dry? Who is worthy of the task?

And then I had an idea. I looked into his eyes and his sad face, and I said, "You know, sometimes I wish I had your life."

He gave me an incredulous look, but I continued. "I can't count how many times I wished I could treat others as well as you treat them." Then I said, "I love you, and I can't imagine what this world would be like without someone like you."

The eyes that were wet with tears showed a few signs of life. A wry grin appeared on his face. Life was returning, and for a moment the derelict building began to look a bit like a stately home once again.

He didn't need a history lesson. He didn't need me to recount his glorious deeds. He simply need to be affirmed. He needed appreciation.

I didn't write this story to get you to feel sorry for this man (okay, maybe just a little), but I wrote this to be a reminder to us all. We need to be appreciated, we need to be affirmed. We all cry out to be loved.

You see, this person's story could be your story, it could be my story. Life has a way of draining us, and sometimes we aren't sure how to refill the well. Feelings of worthlessness can pile up, and we begin to compare ourselves to others (often unrealistically). "I'm not good enough. I don't have the stuff. I'm not needed."

Yet the truth is probably bigger than we realize, and a little affirmation can go a long way.

Take a moment today. Give some affirmation to someone who has encouraged you. Let people know that you appreciate them, and that you are thankful for their contribution to your life. Who knows, it could restore life . . . maybe even yours.

Thank you for reading!

An Empty Story and a Life Affirmed

"I just feel worthless," he said quietly.

It wasn't the way he said it that attracted my attention, but it was his demeanor. This was a person who was in some sense utterly defeated. Everything about him echoed his words. Worthless. Useless. Empty.

I wasn't sure at first how to respond. Sitting before me was a shell, an empty person who felt as though he had absolutely nothing to offer.

I tried to help. "You're not worthless, just look at all you've accomplished."

The words sounded hollow, almost accusatory. His eyes flashed, but it wasn't "life" coming in. It was genuine anger. I had misunderstood him.

"No, you don't get it. I have nothing to offer. I am worthless. I am done."

The words hung in the air like heavy fog, demanding an answer. I honestly didn't know what to say.

If you knew this man, you'd be surprised at his self-evaluation. He earned several degrees (some from prestigious universities and with well known professors). He taught thousands of people, and he mentored many who would ultimately follow in his academic footsteps. He had traveled to a variety of places. He married well and his children were healthy, intelligent, and well behaved. He had rebounded from a moral failure and rebuilt his life and reputation. He was respected by his peers. He "had it all" in a country where such an existence was supposed to be the "American dream".

I wanted to remind him of these things, but he sat there glaring. His red eyes and sad look reminded me of an old derelict building left standing too long that now leaned and threatened to fall over. The supports were gone, the shell was hollow, there was nothing left. How do you rebuild on such a foundation?

The person sitting before me was an encourager. Many times I saw him take last place so that others would be acknowledged and even honored. He prayed that his students would accomplish more than he, and they did! Oh my, how well his students had done! The man went out of his way to make sure others were served, to make sure that others had affirmation, that others were encouraged. He was a Barnabas, and people would flock to him to receive his ministry of encouragement.

Yet here he sat, downcast, done, empty . . . How do you encourage the empathetic man of encouragement who has run dry? Who is worthy of the task?

And then I had an idea. I looked into his eyes and his sad face, and I said, "You know, sometimes I wish I had your life."

He gave me an incredulous look, but I continued. "I can't count how many times I wished I could treat others as well as you treat them." Then I said, "I love you, and I can't imagine what this world would be like without someone like you."

The eyes that were wet with tears showed a few signs of life. A wry grin appeared on his face. Life was returning, and for a moment the derelict building began to look a bit like a stately home once again.

He didn't need a history lesson. He didn't need me to recount his glorious deeds. He simply need to be affirmed. He needed appreciation.

I didn't write this story to get you to feel sorry for this man (okay, maybe just a little), but I wrote this to be a reminder to us all. We need to be appreciated, we need to be affirmed. We all cry out to be loved.

You see, this person's story could be your story, it could be my story. Life has a way of draining us, and sometimes we aren't sure how to refill the well. Feelings of worthlessness can pile up, and we begin to compare ourselves to others (often unrealistically). "I'm not good enough. I don't have the stuff. I'm not needed."

Yet the truth is probably bigger than we realize, and a little affirmation can go a long way.

Take a moment today. Give some affirmation to someone who has encouraged you. Let people know that you appreciate them, and that you are thankful for their contribution to your life. Who knows, it could restore life . . . maybe even yours.

Thank you for reading!

A Word of Encouragement in Hard Times

Several years ago I was struggling with some hard circumstances that had arisen in my life. Things were not going as I had planned, and I felt that God had all but abandoned me. In the midst of a particularly difficult emotional struggle, I had a dream one night. In this dream, a person that I thought was Jesus came to me and offered words of comfort. When I awoke, I wrote down the words as I remembered them. I hope these words may provide some encouragement for someone else who is struggling.  This is what I remember he said:

My child, if you will die, I will produce the harvest. Do not think that I have forsaken you, nor believe that I am incapable.

I am God.

How can you worship that which is limited and unnecessary? How can you submit yourself to that which is not divine? What need have you for a ministry? What need have you for fame or fortune? When will you learn to be content with me?

How long must I wait to see my dreams fulfilled in you?

I long to hold you in my arms of love, to heal the scars of bitterness, anger, and rejectionn that have trekked across your heart. I have carried your sorrow, my child.

I died and live for you.

I love you.

My child, do not surrender the grace of God for the dream of so-called better things in the future. There is no better thing for you than to be in my presence, in my love, in my grace.

How do you think you arrived where you are today?

I brought you to this place. I provided what you need. I love you.

Stand and watch the things I will do for you.

You have often desired the future things now, as though you desired to run before you knew how to walk. Remember, the vision will come and I am not slow regarding my promises. Wait for the fulfillment of the promise, it will not delay.

Will my word return empty? Will it not accomplish what I sent it to do? Is my arm short that I cannot save?

You desire so many things, but only one thing counts, only one thing really matters--your relationship with me.

Your present problems will create growth, not destruction. Your present fire will prove your faith, not harm it. Your situation may seem futile and foolish now, but when the time will come, you will see what I have promised.

Stand firm in the promise I have given. Follow the course I lay out for you.

I have not and will not forsake you. Hold fast to my promise, to my word.

I love you. Grab onto that and let your faith grow.

These words were a blanket of encouragement to me in my time of great pain. I don't think of them as "inspired" like Scripture, but they certainly provided me a sense of comfort. They may have originated in my overactive imagination, but I hope they will help someone else.

Maybe some of you are going through a crisis or a problem that seems to have no solution. Let me say that God is indeed faithful. He does fulfill what he says he will do. God finishes what he starts.  He is true to his word. He has proven it to me in more ways than I can say.

He is good. He loves you. He is with you in your fire.

Hang in there! You are going to make it!

Thanks for reading!

The long winding road to Emmaus: A retelling of an ancient story

“O Lord my God, when the storm is loud, and the night is dark, and the soul is sad, and the heart oppressed; then, as a weary traveler, may I look to you; and beholding the light of your love, may it bear me on, until I learn to sing your song in the night. Amen.” From Little Book of Prayers by George Dawson.

Sometimes in the midst of the trials and burdens of life, we lose sight of the idea of an anchor. We feel tossed and thrown as on a wild and restless sea. Our emotions tell us that things will never be good, all will be despair and loss. Our hope seems shipwrecked, our desire to go on in life sinks into depression. We see nothing good, only evil all around us. Our enemies (both physical and spiritual) seem to have the upper hand, they seem to be winning the day. The victory we felt sure would come has not yet manifested itself, and we feel ourselves sinking ever deeper into a pit in which we cannot get the proper traction to climb. The clock is ticking down, our hope is gone, our day is over, and Christ has not come.

Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, we had hoped that Jesus would be the one who would rescue us all. We had fervently prayed that maybe, just maybe, today would be the day when we would “live happily ever after” and find our dreams coming true. We shake our heads and go out for a walk. Maybe some fresh air and a quick walk will clear out the cob webs in our minds. Still, the topic of our recent failure hangs like a cloud over our heads, raining down doubt and fear.

We chat quietly together, commiserating a bit in our sorrow, in our recent loss. We try to remember all the "good reasons" we came to this time--like the first time we heard the story of Jesus, or the first time we met him, or even when we experienced firsthand some of his cool deeds. Still, sorrow clings to our soul like a wet coat in a sudden thunderstorm. We can't get rid of the sense of sadness, it is drenched on us and stick to our bodies. We wonder why we even brought the subject up and continue to make our journey in silence. Maybe time with our thoughts will help.

Suddenly, a stranger approaches. He seems rather ignorant of our experiences, and besides that he has a fairly sunny disposition. He is definitely someone we want to avoid at this moment. No pie in the sky false hope will satisfy us. We fear that he will say something like, “Cheer up! Keep a stiff upper lip! Things will work out in the end!” We try to avoid the stranger, yet he resolutely comes our direction. He seems determined to interrupt our brooding, our despair. He is on a mission, and we seem to be his primary targets. We try to ignore him, but then he speaks.

“So, what’s going on? Why the sad face?” Out of pure human kindness we try to explain our pain in as brief a manner as possible. We do not want to burden strangers with our “little” concerns, after all. The stranger hears our story and stands tall. Looking at us he says boldly, “Foolish ones, slow of heart to believe what God has said!”

The force of his accusation causes us to stumble in our walk. How dare this stranger tell us our business? How dare he interject his thoughts into our moment of pain, our sorrow? Just who does he think he is to interrupt our musings with his “pollyanna” announcement? We look at him with disdain and think that he likely has nothing of real value to offer.

Then, he begins to speak to us again. Starting with the beginning of our story and bringing us pretty much up to date he tells us things we knew but somehow in our anguish had forgotten. As he speaks, our hearts get a bit lighter. We can literally feel a burning inside that slowly (painfully slowly) begins to purify our thoughts and hearts. His words seem to dry the wet sorrow drenching us. Like sunshine after a thunderstorm, we begin to feel a bit of relief. Spring may yet come! We even feel encouraged (a little at least) .

We invite the stranger to eat with us, and he offers to say grace. As he prays, we realize his true identity. He is our Lord, the one who was beaten brutally, was painfully crucified, who died with the full weight of our sin upon his broken and bruised body. He has been there all along, listening to us, sympathizing (or is it empathizing?) with our pain and anguish. He has been waiting to comfort us with his presence. He loves us so.

We beg him to stay. Oh, the situations of our life haven’t changed dramatically. We still have problems, and those problems seem just as depressing and burdensome as before. The difference is that we have Jesus in the house, and the light of his love gives us courage to press on, he becomes an anchor for our souls. Why? Simply stated—“Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Through him and his love we may not have better situations or circumstances, but we can still be “more than conquerors through him who loved us” in the trials we share as his joint heirs. How? Talk to him. Let him love you. Trust his character. He is faithful even when we are faithless. You matter to him.

He longs to say to you "Hang in there. I love you."

As you walk your soggy path of life, pause and wait for the Lord. Let him catch up to you in your musings. Listen to his words (even the ones that gently rebuke). Get in his presence, let him pray for you and with you. Let his words and actions encourage and empower. Remember, he walks with us whether we acknowledge him or not. Why not sit in his presence for a minute and acknowledge his care for you?

Thanks for reading!

A Word on/of Encouragement, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Here are the notes from my lesson for G.A.P. (Graduates and Professionals) at Thomas Road Baptist Church. This lesson was presented on October 23 and November 6, 2011. I hope it is a blessing to you! Please feel free to leave a comment or contact me if you have any questions.

A Word of/on Encouragement

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Introduction

• Last week we spoke about the idea that true power may be found in weakness—we investigated the idea that every rose has its thorn

• In that lesson we acknowledged that it is often in our lowest moments that God works his greatest gifts and reveals his all sufficient grace and perfects his power in us

• The problem is that it is often at the lowest moments that we get the most discouraged and render ourselves incapable of seeing God’s great kindness

• That has certainly been true in my life

• Finishing a PhD with no place to teach

• Going back to “retail” instead of doing ministry

• Being humbled when I thought it was time to be exalted

• We often experience trouble or afflictions at our low moments

• Isn’t that why we call them low moments?

• When life is tiring, when you are struggling, when family members aren't where you want them to be, when bills aren't paid, when school is difficult, when work is exhausting, when your health is failing, when your loved ones are hurt, when the future is unsure, and when a good friend leaves, in our time of weakness, it is easy to be discouraged

• Discouragement blinds us, but encouragement enlightens and enlivens

• Anyone here need a bit of encouragement in hard times?

• Our passage today speaks of encouragement (using the word “comfort” some six times in three verses). In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Paul tells us four important things about encouragement:

• It is a person

• It has a place

• It has a purpose

• It has a point

1. The Person

• 2 Corinthians 1:3—Here Paul identifies encouragement or comfort as coming from a person

• Okay, strike that, not just any person, but the Person

• Paul describes God as the Father of “mercies”

• The word for “mercies” here refers to “pity” or “compassion”

• Paul also describes this person as “The God of all comfort”

• The word “comfort” here translates a Greek term that means “encouragement” or a calling to the aid of someone

• It is a word used to describe our “Helper” or “Comforter,” the Holy Spirit (John 14:26)

• It is the idea of someone who is there to help by encouragement

• Too often we look for encouragement in a host of other places

• Sometimes we compare our problems to other people’s problems and try to find comfort

• Sometimes we just try to have a positive “attitude” that things will get better

• Sometimes we fill our lives with other things in an effort to “forget” our problems

• Sometimes we try to find “comfort” in the pleasures of the flesh

• Sometimes we simply complain

• When Paul wants to discuss “comfort” or encouragement, he points his readers to a person—to God himself

• This is the God and Father of Jesus—just as he cared for his own Son, so Paul reminds us that God has compassion and care for us

• The idea of “Father” here has to do with origin or source

• God is the source of all mercy and the true source of encouragement or comfort

• There is no limitation to the amount of mercy or comfort God offers

• He is the source for all the mercies we need

• Encouragement is one of the mercies God gives

• If God is the true source of comfort/encouragement, then the question arises as to where we may receive it?

• The place of encouragement may surprise you

2. The Place

2 Corinthians 1:4a—Paul now reveals the surprising place where we may find encouragement

Encouragement comes “in all of our afflictions”

Read that again—Pay close attention to the words

Comfort/Encouragement comes from God and reveals itself in “all our afflictions”

What are “afflictions”?

The word here has to do with tribulations, anguish, or distress

Encouragement is often revealed in our deepest valleys

Think of the people of the Bible

Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, Daniel and the three Hebrew young men

Timothy and Paul

In all of these situations and to all these people God proved faithful

Although he did not always remove the problem (remember, every rose has its thorn), God is faithful to show mercy and to encourage

What are your “afflictions”?

What is the darkest valley you face?

Where do you need the most encouragement?

That is the place that the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort wants to meet you

Notice that it doesn’t say that God encourages us in “some” of our afflictions (cf. Psalm 23:4; Heb. 13:5)

The word “all” covers a lot of ground

There is no place of trouble that God’s mercies and comfort cannot reach

On the other hand, he will not force his grace or encouragement on us

“Your love is too pure to force me to love you” sings Dennis Jernigan

The same may be said for his mercies and encouragement

God meets us in “all our afflictions” to offer us his mercy and encouragement, but he does not simply swoop in with a provision (Heb. 13:5—he is always there)

No, God has a purpose

If you are in distress, if you face affliction, God offers to you today his mercies and comfort

But these things come with a purpose in mind (James 1:2-4)

3. The Purpose

2 Corinthians 1:4b—Paul continues his thought by moving beyond the place of comfort to its purpose

Simply stated, Paul tells us that encouragement is given to us so that we can in turn give it to others

That is, God comforts us in our afflictions/distresses so that we can then do the same for others

Sounds like a no brainer, right? The purpose of your afflictions may have something to do with preparing you to be a help to someone else

As you are afflicted, so are you prepared to encourage

Your “problems” become the mission field into which God will pour mercy and encouragement for others

You think it is a “hindrance” or some kind of “obstacle,” yet your very place of affliction may be your future mission

Where you suffer today, where God wants to meet you with his mercies and encouragement may well become the place of greatest ministry for you in the future

Remember, every rose has its thorn—true power is found in weakness—the place where you are suffering, struggling, aching, or even in despair can be the spot where God perfects his power and shows his all sufficient grace

There is a pattern here, so what’s the point?

4. The Point

2 Corinthians 1:5—Paul reminds us that Jesus is the point of all these afflictions and God’s mercies and encouragement

Remember, God worked in Jesus’ life in a similar way

Hebrews 2:14-18 reminds us that Jesus became one of us so that he might give us freedom from the fear of death

Jesus stood in solidarity with us, even to the point of death, and by his suffering and death provided for us the victory

His “afflictions” provide comfort for us

As God comforted him, so God comforts us

Hebrews 5:8 reminds us that Jesus even “learned obedience from the things he suffered”

If Jesus suffered (with loud cries and tears, Heb. 5:7), how can we expect any less?

But by his suffering, Jesus becomes for us the very comfort and power we need to stand strong in our “afflictions”

Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15-16 remind us that through Jesus we receive help

The point is this—as our Lord suffered and received his Father’s mercies and encouragement, so also we receive mercies and encouragement from him when we suffer “afflictions”

What’s the point of all this? Jesus is the point

God works in our afflictions to make Christ’s image known in us and shown through us

Paul has gone out of his way to remind us that some of the afflictions we face are actually the sufferings of Christ

We may have an abundance of these issues, but in many cases they are not “ours” alone, the afflictions or sufferings belong to Jesus

That means that our afflictions are not meaningless, there is purpose and meaning to them

That means that many of the things we face are actually God ordained and God given

They belong to Jesus and are not our property

Therefore we need to see Jesus suffering with us (Acts 9)

He also reminds us that encouragement is abundant in Christ

If the afflictions belong to Jesus, then we can rest assured that encouragement or comfort will also come from him

We are not alone, we face these things with and in Christ

Whatever your affliction, Jesus is with you in its midst

You do not face these afflictions alone, you have help

As a result, we can be confident of encouragement and grace (Hebrews 4:16)

The point is that God intends to use our afflictions as a means to work in us the character of Christ

In our times of “distress,” God works his grace and mercy in and through us

By this work, he then reveals his grace and mercy to others

By encouraging us, he empowers us to encourage others

Application

In light of all this, how should we respond?

If God is the person of encouragement . . .

If he shows that encouragement in our afflictions . . .

If the purpose of our afflictions and our encouragement is to comfort others as Christ comforts us . . .

Then how can we receive and give comfort/encouragement this week?

First, make sure you understand God’s character and God’s purpose for your afflictions. If you have any doubt about God’s intentions, this week spend some time with God and his Word. Read Hebrews 1-5 or 2 Corinthians 1. Spend some time seeking to understand God’s character as an encourager and one who comforts. Act on what you know about God as the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. Stand firm on Romans 8:28-39 (try memorizing these verses). God’s encouragement is received just like his mercies, by faith. Remember, faith acts on what it knows

Second, take time to show gratitude to God for his mercies and comfort. Say “Thank you” to God a lot. Develop an attitude of gratitude

Third, look for opportunities to encourage or to comfort others

Show genuine interest in another person and his or her situation (especially the afflictions). Spend time with them in their situation and let them know you care. Express genuine interest by asking questions. Get them talking. Like Jesus, be with them.

Acknowledge what’s important in their situation. Most of us crave an acknowledgement about our situation. If the person is mad at God (or if you are mad at God), admit it and discuss it. Sometimes the simple act of affirmation or validation provides encouragement and builds confidence.

Finally, encourage others by offering to lend a hand. Show someone you care by doing something to bless them. Surprise them in their “affliction” with an unexpected kindness.

Thanks for reading!