What a blessing 1 Thessalonians is!  I would encourage you to take the time to read through this relatively short book.  It doesn’t necessarily contain a lot of theology, but it sure contains much encouragement.  Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote this book together.  The church at Thessalonica was the second major church founded on the European continent, and was an amazing mix of Jewish and Gentile converts.

Paul and his missionary team made several outreach trip by the leading of the Holy Spirit and they did not just birth new churches, but they became involved in the lives of their converts.  1 Thessalonians 1:2 gives us an insight into how much they loved and cared for this body of believers. We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.  Wouldn’t you love to receive a letter with those kind words?  Impart Ministries is a mobile ministry and for years Darryl and I traveled like circuit rider preachers of old from church to church.  We fell in love with each church by the grace of the Holy Spirit. It was  tiring traveling, but we were always refreshed by being together with each special church.  I find myself with an aching heart to go and visit each and every church that are still very much in my soul.  So I have somewhat of an understanding of Paul’s heart in this matter.

There were some special attributes that the authors complimented this church family.  As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thessalonians 1:3 )  These folks were faithful.  They loved one another and they kept their hope alive even as verse 6 declares in spite of severe suffering it brought you.  These people counted the cost and kept on going even when it caused them suffering and hardship.  I am writing this blog to encourage us to keep on going.  Keep on walking in spite of the struggles you may be facing.  Keep on walking through the “why bother” thoughts, the “I am too tired”, “nobody else is doing this” lies.  These are lies my dear friends.  We keep on walking and running our race because of our dear Savior Jesus Christ.  We do not want his suffering to be in vain.  We want it to count for something.  Because of Paul and his teams investment in this church, they became encouragers to others.  As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece–throughout both Macedonia an Achaia. (1:7)   You probably will not know the influence you have on others till you get to heaven.  Can you imagine the encouragement they were to Paul because they stood in the face of adversity.  And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. (2:14)  

Paul and the team moved on to other areas of ministry but they did not forget their love, care and responsibility to this church.  They tried to go back several times to visit them. Dear brothers and sisters, after we were separated from you for a little while (though our hearts never left you), we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again. We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. (2:17-18)  Finally they sent Timothy to visit them.  We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through.  But you know that we are destined for such troubles. (3:2-3).
We all need strengthening, encouraging and reminding that trouble is part of this world.  I think as humans we try to avoid all trouble and are sometimes surprised when it comes.  But Jesus said that in this life we will have trouble, but I want to know that each trouble we face we do not face them alone and it will always be worth it.  Dear friends, I have heard of people walking away from their faith in this season, it grieves me deeply.  I wonder why, what happened?  Verse 4: even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come–and they did as you well know.  That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong.  I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.

We have a tempter that comes to each of us.  He is no respecter of persons, places or pursuits.  Young or old in the faith he seeks whomever he can devour.  Please be alert and on watch for his activity in your soul or spirit.  The body of Christ needs you to stand strong in this day.  Let us take hope and courage from our brothers and sisters in Thessalonica and be steadfast in His ways.  Paul and his team were fighting opposition where they were and it encouraged there hearts when Timothy returned with his good report of their standing.  God wants to use us to encourage others.  We can do it!

Have you ever experienced a time in your walk with the Lord a season where you felt disengaged, separate or just like you were drifting?  As it can happen with human relationships, it can also happen with our relationship with the Lord.  The marriage relationship which began with such passion can drift into boring routines.  Children, who were so anticipated, become responsibilities that demand our attention, strength and energy.  And our relationship with Jesus can also deteriorate into a “hi-bye” kind of rut.

It is humbling to admit that I have experienced these sort of blahs in every one of my relationships.  But, I am here to encourage and remind us that there is a way out of these doldrums.  The amazing thing is that our God understands these tendencies.  He is so aware of our weaknesses.  In fact, he promises us that his power works best in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT)  I confess that lately I have found myself struggling through a season of “blahs”.  So when I felt the Lord wanting me to share this topic, I was less than thrilled!  However, it is always freeing to admit our humanity and move into his grace and mercy.
How did I get here–into this season of “blahs”?  I have kept up my devotional time (check), prayer-yes.  So what is the deal? My life had been super busy, and then it shifted.  I realized that during my busy time I did not take the time to really focus on what I was reading and really to whom I was praying.  So coming out of such a time of busyness, I think I have been running on spiritual fumes.  I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit and his grace to stir up the longing to re-connect in a more life-giving manner.  But I also realized that I could continue on with this surface relationship and end up getting de-railed in my walk with him.  We are warned about the distractions of life, how they can call us away from our first love.  The enemy of our soul works through such things to dull our hearts toward the things of God and His Kingdom and cause us to settle for less.  Not only does this affect our relationship with our Savior, it affects our usefulness for his kingdom.

God can use these times to stir us and motivate us to grow in new ways.  Our enemy can use this time to lead us away from our gifts and callings.  It is up to us, as sons and daughters, to determine to follow him.  I am not trying to scare us into fear that we can lose our way easily.  It is not like that, but I am trying to warn us (like Paul warned those around him) there are carefully disguised traps set around us that can catch us if we are not careful.  We were given spiritual armor for a reason, let us all remember to use it!

Steps to Deal with the Blahs

The Lord Supper

Scriptures encourage us to take communion as a reminder of what Christ did for us. This is a time to remind ourselves of the price he paid and just how much he loves us.

Fellowship

We are encouraged to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together with our brothers and sisters.  The strength and focus we gain from our spiritual family is crucial.  Never underestimate how much we need each other.  Taking time to share our burdens with the others lighten our load.

Worship

I sometimes use my online Bible app,  You Version, to do my devotionals.  Lately I have been using the reading feature to read the Psalms.  Psalm 95 and 96 encourage us to sing to the Lord.  I decided to not only read the words, but actually try singing to the Lord instead of singing about the Lord brought new thoughts and life to my soul.

The Word

Slowing down and focusing on what I am reading, asking the Holy Spirit for revelation as well as instruction really does feed my soul.  Taking the time to journal these thoughts reinforce what I read.

Testimony

Sharing God stories with others helps us overcome as the Word promises.Stirs my heart up to have more to share!

Prayer

Being encouraged by the Word, sharing the God stories of others build faith to ask for Godly intervention in the problems of life for myself and others.  But first, when I find myself fighting the blahs, I need to confess that to the Lord.  I ask him to reveal any where I might have fallen into the enemies traps or had my heart drawn away from him.  Then repent from any of those things he shows me.

These are just a few of the things that God has revealed to me concerning the blahs.

Some days life is just another day. Nothing outwardly spectacular happens when you pray.  You go about life’s necessities and the day goes on.  This was my yesterday.  My sister came over briefly to get some rest while her husband was at therapy for his knee replacement.  I was glad to offer her a couch to take a very needed nap.  I was showing her my crochet project when I noticed, even though it was almost finished, I had messed up. I am glad she came because I might have “finished” it and not even noticed. Continue reading “Faith and mistakes” →