Tough

This Thanksgiving season could be challenging in many ways. This thanksgiving will be the first Thanksgiving season for many households since a spouse, family member, or loved one passed away. Material goods are scarce, incomes are low, and those things can make a season of joy tough. It does not take much to push all of us to say, “It is tough right now” Sadly, suffering is a staple of life. We have all felt pain, and it is easy to look around and know that we are not the only ones. What is not so obvious, though, is that even God has suffered. Isaiah told us that Christ was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Look at the cross, and it is clear that the Father, Spirit, and Son all experienced suffering. Yet, in these seasons, we can continue to show gratitude to God, trusting that He is working for our good no matter what we face. In these challenging situations, maintaining a good mindset is probably the most important thing you can do. Maintaining that good mindset should be driven by our spiritual life. When we are thankful during tough times, we tend to stay upbeat, avoid pointless sorrow, persist through the hardship, find intelligent solutions, and eventually turn things around when we place our burdens and worries upon Him.

Tough times have been a part of history since the beginning of time. Paul was very much aware of the persecutions that the church in Thessalonica was enduring. In writing both letters, he sought to encourage the church to remain thankful during the tough days. At the onset of this letter, Paul reminded the Thessalonians that God already had worked in their lives. Further, God continued to give evidence of His presence and power in their lives. As those who had received grace from God, they already had come to know He had been more than fair with them despite their troubles. Paul was impressed with the faith of these Christians, and he noticed that their love was increasing in their dealings with one another.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, Paul addresses the church with awareness of their continued persecutions while applauding their steadfastness (vs. 4). Paul begins 2 Thessalonians in nearly identical fashion to how he began 1 Thessalonians: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Friends, “Grace” is God’s gift, which grants you the privilege to have a relationship with Him, and “peace” is the result as you acknowledge His grace by trusting in the work of Christ on your behalf. Those who believe in God’s grace and rest in Christ’s peace enjoy the blessings of being “in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 1). This means that we are granted access into His family, the church. As a family, we have a Father who not only loves and leads us, but He also brings us together to accomplish a common purpose. After greeting his friends, Paul launched into a statement of praise to God for what He had accomplished in their lives. You cannot help but notice Paul’s repeated thanksgivings in these two letters. Not only does prayer change people and situations, but so does praise.

No doubt, the Thessalonican believers did not consider themselves very spiritual as they suffered, but Paul detected what God was doing. You and I are the worst ones to evaluate our own lives. Many times others can see the spiritual improvement when you and I miss it altogether. Paul acknowledged the church’s steadfastness by stating that their faith had grown abundantly, their love for one another was strong, and their patience and testimony were helping others in the region.

Friends, times are tough; but is your faith growing during these days? Are you taking the time to be thankful, display patience, and continue to be a testimony of God’s working in your life? As you prepare yourself and your household for Worship this weekend, pray. Ask God to give you a spirit of gratitude no matter your current circumstances. Thank Him that His people always have reason to rejoice because of Jesus.