Strength in the Struggle

We have been studying the book of 1 Thessalonians.  We have noted in our study that believers in Thessalonica are going through great trials for their faith in Jesus. In this section of Paul’s letter (1 Thessalonians 2:13-20), Paul addresses the persecution they face and shares his concern and hope that they stand firm in their faith despite the challenges.

2 Timothy 3:12 states: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. When we choose to follow Christ, we will have opposition from the enemy through the world around us.

As Paul talks about the trails they face, he encourages them by highlighting the God given resources that enabled them and will continue to keep them standing firm in their faith. These reminders by Paul are nuggets of truth to hold onto for us today of how to stand firm during trials.

The Word of God

1 Thessalonians 2;13 “When you received the word of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God.”

Paul gives thanks to God because the Thessalonians received the Gospel not just as the word of men, but as the word of God; they did not hear Paul’s words as being just his own thoughts and ideas, but the words that have come from God.

Self-Reflection: Scripture is not meant to be received merely as inspiration but as truth, that is reliable and powerful. When facing challenges, may God’s word, His promises and His revealed character through His word be the steady ground that helps us stay rooted and full of hope during our challenging seasons. We are never going to be able to stand against the persecution, opposition, affliction and suffering in this world unless we cling to God’s Word as the absolutely truth over everything.

Take a moment and reflect on how you receive God’s word? And is there any difference in how you view those very scripture verses in and out of challenging seasons of your life?

The People of God

1 Thessalonians 13b-15a “ The word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out.”

Paul writes that God’s word was active in them and as a result their ways were no more reflective of their old selves. Their pursuit of God was not quenched by the difficulties they faced, instead they became imitators of the church in Judea, who had also heard and received the Gospel and endured persecution. The new believers in Thessalonica took encouragement from the Church in Judea of how they stood firm in their faith when faced with persecution. God’s word is living and active, bringing light and revelation, as well as conviction and challenge, and it brings forth a changed life and righteous fruit.

Why did Paul remind them of the same suffering, that the Christian’s in Judea were going through. The point is that they were not alone; the family of God and the body of Christ was with them.

This is why we need the church, the body of Christ. We need the fellowship of God’s family, to pray for and encourage one another, to build each other up in faith, and to inspire love and good works. The Christian life isn’t meant to be lived alone—we need others to remind us we’re not alone in our struggles. A lonely believer is more vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks, which is why the fellowship of God’s family is so important.

Self-Reflection: There is a strength that comes from not feeling isolated in one’s affliction. Shared journeys of trials always prove to strengthen us to persevere and it reignites our hope. Reflect on what ways someone else’s journey had given you the much-needed encouragement when you found yourself feeling hopeless in the midst of a trial? God often uses people and their testimonies to help us lift our head up high and keep looking to Him instead of feeling defeated.

God Sees

1 Thessalonians 15b-16 “They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.”

Often when going through challenges especially when in the midst of it, we might feel overlooked by God. Why is God not sorting this out yet? Paul reminds them that those that persecute, not just harm them alone, their actions are seen by God and are displeasing to Him. God is just and he will deal with the enemies of his people.

Self-Reflection: Following Christ may bring rejection, misunderstanding, ridicule, or pressure from culture. We are not to lose heart when we see the hostility that the world has towards Christians or when we see sin seem to win, all such actions will be held accountable. Do not be forlorn for we hold onto what God has said in His word as truth, and it will come to pass.

We Worship the One with All Authority

Paul expresses his longing to have visited them but was unable to do so, in verse 18 he writes, “For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.”  A recognition that they do not fight against flesh and blood alone but there is a spiritual war going on. It is necessary to realise that not every challenge is spiritual warfare but may the Lord give us discernment and wisdom to recognise when we find ourselves in the midst of one. And friend, if you are in the midst of one, remember that the One you worship is the One with ALL AUTHORITY (Mathew 28:18), may your prayers and fight reflect the truth that the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (John 4:4).

Verse 20 says, “For you are our glory and joy.” Paul speaks of the ultimate joy he will have, which is to see the Thessalonians on the other side of this life in heaven. That is the ultimate victory, to persevere and not give up to receive the ultimate crown. Paul was wanting to be in heaven, see them there and rejoice with them. That would be his crown. A wonderful reminder for us all of the true joy that awaits us on the other side of this life. Having that mindset will not restrict our perspective to the here and now but to the bigger picture of what awaits us beyond this life.

Jesus said in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

We face challenges but God has given us resources- His Word, His people around us, we get to call on the one who has ‘All Authority’ and we look forward to the glory and rewards of heaven before us.

God Bless.