Our Lord Jesus Christ never kept away from us about the Way we have been called to. In many passages of the scripture, He didn't beat around the bush, informing us regarding the trials, hardships, and abuses we will confront while honestly walking with Him.
Because we know about this truth, we ought to therefore valiantly stand firm when we are confronted with our faith and tribulations. Proverbs 24:10 let us know that if you faint on the day of trial, your strength is little. What do you do when you find out that your strength is little in proportion to the adversities you are confronting? You cry to God to increase your strength similarly as our Lord Jesus cried to the Father for help in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was faced with the great pain of carrying the weight of the sin of the entire world. The Father heard His cry, and He sent an angel to strengthen Him. How the Father did for the Lord Jesus, He will also do for you.
Allow us to consider some notable points from Paul's words of encouragement in 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 to the brethren in Thessalonica who were confronting adversities. First, he made them realize that the Body of Christ got what they were passing through and liked their perseverance even with hardships. Secondly, he attempted to lift their spirits by reminding them that their perseverance of adversity would earn them a place in the kingdom of God, thus they ought not to be weary.
Thirdly, he instructed them that God would not permit the people who were persecuting them to go unpunished.
The essence of this was to deter these brethren from trying to vindicate themselves of their persecutors since vengeance is the Lords and He would reimburse evil men. Moreover, he consoled them of the prayers of the saints for them. We should learn from these points not to condemn the children of God who are going through adversities or trials of faith. There is a propensity for us to consistently ascribe the suffering of the saints to sins they have committed and to condemn them to eternal self-assessment. Rather than ascribing their adversities to sin, the Church took glory in the patience of the Thessalonians amidst hardship.
Be encouraged that the difficult period of life you are going through will conclude soon. Thus, don't surrender! The Lord Jesus partakes in your tribulation. Be happy because He has conquered the world for your sake.
He is ever faithful to his words.
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