My favorite place to be is definitely basking in the sun on a beach somewhere. My second favorite place? Cozied up in a huge sweater, under a big blanket, in front of a fireplace with a fresh cup of coffee. While I do sometimes get moments like these, the reality is that most days life isn’t full of warm fuzzy moments.
Sometimes I worry that, in these modern times, we’ve reduced Christianity down to feelings of warm fuzzies. When we’re encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ, or sharing our faith with an unbeliever, of course, we want to highlight all the good stuff. Yes, God is with you. Yes, He loves you unconditionally. Yes, He has a plan for your life. All of these things are great, true, biblical, and important. But there’s more to the story.
In reading Paul’s message to the Thessalonian church, we realize just how young they are in their faith. They are still learning, yet they’re already facing persecution because of their newfound faith. So, while Paul can’t be with them in person, he wants to encourage them in their faith and how far they’ve come. He tells them, “Indeed you are our glory and joy!” (1Thessalonians 2:20). He wants them to know that even in their separation, there is hope because the Lord is still working.
In his absence, Paul sent Timothy to encourage them. What they were facing was nothing new for the church at large. In those times, persecution and Christianity went hand in hand because their faith stood so far removed from the culture they lived in.
In his letter, Paul tells the Thessalonians to not be shaken by this persecution because they have been appointed for this very thing, that affliction will come (1Thessalonians 3:3–4). Paul also warns that if they aren’t careful, Satan will try to tempt them from their place of affliction and pain (v.5). Still, these temptations do not mean that God’s love for them has somehow lessened; it is actually proof that they are living out His purpose for their lives.
This letter is also a reminder for us that walking with God doesn’t mean we’re exempt from hurt or pain. Choosing faith in Christ doesn’t keep us from struggle or temptation by the evil one. Here’s what it does mean: We know the end of the story!
In our world, there will be conflict. There will be strife. We will struggle. It’s guaranteed (John 16:33). Jesus suffered unimaginably for us; to love and follow Him is to know suffering too. But in the midst of difficulty and struggle, whose voice will you listen to? Will you choose to believe in the promise of what is to come?
Choose to believe that we already have the victory through Christ. Be encouraged that He is with you in whatever battle you currently face and has already won eternal victory for those who trust and believe in Him. He is present in our joy and near in our pain. The Christian walk is not always warm fuzzies. But our joy and our strength don’t need to flee when we stay connected to Jesus.
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53 thoughts on "Strength & Encouragement"
I am going through a fiery trial with my son who has mental illness and addiction issues. He soon will be going to a residential treatment program in another state. We’ve been suffering for years with him and it’s escalated again since the beginning of this year. I’ve been fasting and praying for God’s guidance and strength. Some days can be very dark and scary but I’m choosing to place my gaze on my Savior. It’s still very painful but I have hope that He is leading us in this direction to help our son and need to believe that it’s for his good and God’s glory. I need to keep trusting in Jesus because he loves my son more than I do
We will struggle but He is our hope and shares in our battles for he has already won eternal victory for those who trust in Him. Our time here on this earth is short and soon we will get to sit with our father.
This was so good.
I think God calls on us to suffer but suffer well the way that Jesus did. We will all face suffering in this world, but a Christian should stand out in our suffering by keeping our eyes on Jesus
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God sent his Son to suffer and die for sins he did not commit. He suffered as each and every sin was laid upon him. Every single sin that had ever been committed and each and every sin that would be committed. If Christ endured all of that and he is the Son of the one true God, what would make me think that my walk will be a trail of flowers? People suffer saved and unsaved alike but the difference is that for those who know Christ we suffer with Hope and with our eyes set on the savior. I am so thankful that I have women in my life that I can share the ugly stuff with as well as the warm fuzzy stuff.
Christians suffer, and so do non believers. In this world, there is affliction and suffering for all. What is different is not that we have to go through it and nonbelievers don’t– it’s that we have an eternal hope and see purpose in it.
I came across a book that stated Our God is a God of Suffering, one who sent his own child to suffer a great, painful, excruciating death and we think we’re not to suffer here? Our time on earth is meant to share and love our Lord, through good and bad. Please God help me remember that.
Encouraging devo
Just checking in to see if all is well with Churchmouse. I’ve missed her comments lately.
We need to remember that God is with us in our struggles and life won’t always be easy but he will never leave us.
@Sara – I have felt this way, too – pride often keeps us from sharing our difficulties. I’ve had to be more purposeful about this myself.
Amen
Devo so wonderfully written!
So good! I needed to read this tonight!
Amen
I think Christians forget this. Many times with brothers and sisters in the church, we only share all the warm fuzzies in our lives, and we forget to share how we are struggling. It makes me feel like everyone fakes it when they come to church. I think we need to remember to share with others our struggles so they can pray with us.
I struggle with this quote from the devotional “He is present in our joy and near in our pain.” Isn’t Jesus/God present and right next to us in our pain too? He’s not just close by or near. I believe in our pain He’s more than near, He’s holding us.
I often forget that suffering is essential to our growth in Christ I’m glad that I was reminded that today. Thank you Jesus!
Today’s devotional was such a great reminder of what our expectations of the Christianity should be. We aren’t promised an easy life, we are actually promised quite the opposite. There are so many times when I expect blessings and am surprised when hard times happen instead. What would happen if I changed my perspective? I believe I would be a lot more grateful when the good things happened. Have a blessed Friday ladies!❤️
Lifting up all the prayer requests of our beloved sisters into the mighty hand of the Lord. Thank you for the honor of allowing me to be a partaker with you in prayers, in your suffering, in your beautiful stories. God is the God of both mountains and valleys. And though we walk through (through, i.e. till the end) the valley, He walks with us, and His rod and His staff comforts us. And by that comfort, we shall comfort others. Among hardships and suffering, I know this much, that “it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22).
In Songs of Solomon 2:1, it says, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys”. Jesus is compared to the lily of the valleys here, not lily of the mountains, but valleys. Why? Because only in the valleys, valleys of dry bones, valleys of shadows of death, valleys of suffering, that we truly can see the beauty of the Lord manifest. And the lilies are more well clothed in glory than King Solomon, such a deep analogy scattered in different places of the Bible to show us God’s glory is found in our valley of suffering, far greater than King’s splendor.
@Tina, as you share your story, you stir the soil of my heart too. I am so thankful for you Tina. I was the first to be saved in my family, and I often lack the encouragement of faith from within, from a motherly/grandma role like you offer to yours. I usually feel lonely in my faith walk and struggles. Cannot tell you how many times you calm and mend the brokenness of my heart through the way you see things. Blessings and prayers to you and your family.
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We don’t need to flee when we go through trials. We can expect persecution and endure because we are with Christ. Amen!
I find it interesting that I’m talking with other believers that they think we ought not to suffer because we are Christians. But the Bible tells us that suffering produces patience and trust in God. Loved today’s passages.
Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.” How awesome that his mercies never end and are new every morning. It’s like getting a fresh start each day! Tina I’m not sure how old Ollie is, but the biggest thing we learned through transplant is to educate about why he will have to take his medicines. It is SO important to keep his new kidney. Most young become non-compliant. Prayers that Ollie will always be compliant! I’m so thankful for all of you SRT sisters. Have a blessed weekend!
WOW, Abby’s devotion was really powerful to me today. Her last sentence really hit home. Also, when she talks about how we aren’t exempt from hurt or pain even when walking with the Lord.
Lord, thank you for being there when we need You. Thank you for all that You have given us. Help us to continue to grow even through the hurt and the pain. Remind us You are the One to turn to in the good times and the bad times. Amen.
Bless all of you my sisters in Christ.
Praying for you all, Sisters in Christ! I know that God will meet us all EXACTLY where we are. GOD IS GOOD!!! Have a blessed weekend!
Love reading what you all share. It is like “bonus” devotions! Prayed for each of your requests as I scrolled through and read how God is speaking to your heart and what is happening in your life. Today’s reading reminded me that it will not always be easy or even pleasant but God is with us in it, it all matters and He provides our brothers and sisters to encourage us. He is STILL good. Have a blessed day, Sisters!
Praying Sarah for your brother’s day. May He and his new wife feel God’s Joy as they take their vows. And for your sister’s pregnancy, health for her and this new baby and much joy. Praying for the young woman Jill Lee, that she will know she is beloved by Jesus and find her hope and life in Him. Thankful you were there. Praying for you Rachel and your baby. Lord Jesus please keep this little one safe and take the pain away that Rachel has been dealing with. Ease her heart and mind Lord God. In Jesus name I pray. I will pray for you all later Sisters when I have time to read all your comments. He is alive and we will face trials and suffering but we are not alone. He does not leave us. Hugs wrapped in Him.
“…their faith stood so far removed from the culture they lived in.” This should be us today. Our society is moving further and further away from God’s ways. We can no longer hide or try to blend in. We can no longer toy with sin. Which areas are you/am I compromising? I’m deeply convicted!
Tina, thank you for the update. I was praying yesterday that Ollie’s body would accept the new organ, and I prayed against infection. Continued prayers for healing and for your niece during the upcoming separation from her son.
Praying for all the requests here. Such a comfort reading this devotional… despite what we are walking through, we know the ending! Eternal victory goes to the Lord! While our struggles here may seem insurmountable, it’s a comfort knowing that this life is just a blip on the radar screen of eternity. May I use it for His glory.
*the “alter call” (not article)
This Devo reminds me so much of my early days of walking with Christ. Please note as I say this I am not criticizing anyone or a church. In a nutshell: I was raised Roman Catholic. I was a teenager in the 80s. Back then there was a movement called: The Charismatic Movement within the Catholic Church. Thank God for this movement. On May 5, 1985, I attended a charismatic youth conference I know that day I made the article and Jesus became the Lord of my life. Yes, I asked Jesus into my heart. Till this day it’s the best day ever. Of course theres been other wonderful days such as the birth of my children, this day, May 5, 1985 will always be the best day of my entire life. As a young Christian in a born-again charismatic youth group, we faced many persecution. Priest who did not approve of this moment. Church members who did not approve of this movement. We were highly criticized and put down. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to them. I’m so glad for the few of us who didn’t listen to them. We listened to our Lord Jesus Christ who speaks truth and I’m so thankful we stuck it out because that’s why I am here today. Today this movement continues. I may no longer be Catholic but my mom is and she continues with her relationship with Jesus and the Charismatic Movement.
These passages spoke to me this morning. “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”! Thank you Lord for this promise.
Prayers for all who requested and truly you are all a blessing in my life and I thank God for you each day. Have a wonderful weekend sisters!
Keep your eyes on the prize—heaven and eternity ❤️❤️
I absolutely love how God is using SRT to tie together things from others studies I’m doing. I’m studying Genesis in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship), and just yesterday we were discussing Joseph’s struggles in Egypt. So many things from today’s devotional and reading can tie into that. God is amazing!
I am praying this morning for your dad and your mom Nads. May God continue to bring healing and strength to your dad’s body and strengthen your mom to care for him. Also, continued prayers for Ollie and his family. Thank you, Tina, for his update. I’m encouraged by his progress! Angie, I’m also keeping you in prayer and joining you in asking God to remove any of satan’s schemes. It’s another wet, gloomy day in Wisconsin, but the grass is green, and our fire danger has decreased, so I praise God for that. Enjoy your weekend.
Praying for you all.
If you could please pray for my brother, as he’s getting married today! Unfortunately I will be the only one in attendance from his family, because my sister is pregnant/due soon…and my parents were planning to come, but just Tuesday night my dad went to urgent care due to prostate issues. So they will be home watching onkine . I’m so sad for my brother, but thank goodness for technology so that they can watch live and rewatch the recording. Please pray for peace for my brother and his fiance, and that he wouldnt be too sad about most of his family not making it. They are hoping to have another celebration in the fall. Love you SRT sisters!
There is hope because the Lord is still working. Amen and amen! Yesterday, I sat with a college student who attempted suicide on Easter Sunday and no one knew until she told me (I’m a therapist). Praying that all that is hidden will be revealed and for comfort, strength and peace for this hurting young woman.
Praying for you Rachel and your little one.
The lord will keep me.
Oh man – what a note to end this week on.
A prayer request or few from me. I’m 27 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby girl – I’ve had increasing pelvic, sciatic & round ligament pain – you name it – I’m feeling it. Some days are worse than others – when it’s really bad sleep is not restful. As it was last night – I woke up at 4 and could not get comfortable. Decided to get up at 5:30 & start my day with more time here and in the Word.
Also, I had some abnormally low blood test results and am going to see a hematologist today. Pray for clear results!
Next, my mom has stage 0/1 breast cancer and will find out today if we need to do chemo along with radiation!
Lastly, a happy note – our home goes on the market today & we hope it sells quickly! Though this is exciting for our family, it does of course just add to the stress & worry! Trying to keep my head up, looking to Him who is able!
Just yesterday, I was listening to the Risen Motherhood podcast on the subject of fear. They had Nancy Demoss on there speaking and she was talking about how we all face trials pretty much all the time in life. But she pointed us to Proverbs 31 and how the woman was not afraid of the snow because her household was clothed in scarlet and that she wasn’t afraid of the future but laughed at it. I know for me it’s easy to be afraid of what’s ahead and what hardships are in store. But this was a great reminder for me to be prepared for those difficult times as the Proverbs 31 woman was, to be on the offense and not just the defense when it comes to trials. They will come inevitably but we can prepare ourselves through God’s word and abiding in Christ so that when they come, we’re prepared and not left reeling.
2 Cor 1:4 The God of All Comfort “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” How this verse spoke to me as I saw my first 3 patients yesterday (praise all went well!) and see another 2 today. The patients are experiencing troubles (or else they wouldn’t need OT) and I especially think of one woman I met yesterday who’s story broke my heart. But I hope and pray that I could offer some comfort through a touch, an eye smile, through activity, through conversation. I loved the points of today’s devotion that while we will all face trials, we have HOPE, we have COMFORT, it shows PROOF of the Lord’s work in our lives. Lifting up Nads and her family, Tina’s family, and Angie’s family and others who have and will share their requests on this post today.
Have a blessed weekend sisters! Looking forward to meeting back together again on Monday <3
Thank you, SRT for the verses you put together this morning. Certainly the Holy Spirit is using them in my heart to bring comfort and affirmation.
Thank you, Lord God, for the growth that occurs in suffering. Thank you for the strength and peace, You provide. I pray, Lord God, that if satan is blocking the path of reconciliation in my situation, he will be removed. I ask in Jesus name, that our hearts, and the hearts of those you have given us to love, will remain faithful and true to your Word and your way. Thank you for the “Timothy’s” who are able to make contact in person. Thank you also, that while I may live in this present trial, my Lord, Your love is steadfast and enfolds me. Your mercies surround. I am blessed, for I am Your child. My portion is fully You, and I am covered in You, my Lord, My King, my Savior and God. Amen and amen.
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Nads and Tina wrapping you in prayers and His Love know He is with you with strength , patience and love.
God bless you both
I was just reading another devotional from the Firzt 5 app. The study is on the Book of Exodus and today’s title is Reassurance. I thought it may go with what we are reading today. Here is a link if anyone wants to read it. https://myf5.co/497142
Hope everyone has a great day!
Choose to believe that we already have the victory through Christ. Be encouraged that He is with you in whatever battle you currently face and has already won eternal victory for those who trust and believe in Him. He is present in our joy and near in our pain. The Christian walk is not always warm fuzzies. But our joy and our strength don’t need to flee when we stay connected to Jesus.
This week, as most of you know, has been one in which staying connected to Jesus has been CRUCIAL..
As I have come to the table each day, this week, I have felt the devotional has been for me..
Faith and persecution, the day of my niece and great nephews surgery.. that was a long day. Lots of persecuting thoughts as the little champs op was going to take 6-9hours. I can tell you fear crept in when I disconnected, took my eyes from Jesus
But God..
Walking worthy of of God, in the ‘after the operation’ state of mind, and giving praise and thanks that all went well and both were okay, giving thanks and praise alone did not work on my heart, our whole family had held our breathe until Ollie was out of surgery, we all needed to praise, so I sent a Thank you God prayer to our WhatsApp, we may all have been thinking it, but let’s be unified in it, for where two or more are united in prayer and praise..
But God..
Welcoming the word..funny, my niece last week planted some seeds saying when Ollie comes home they should just be coming through if not about to burst forth in the beautiful array of colours.. Her thinking not so ‘of the Lord, but none the less beautiful, a reminder to Ollie, that better days are coming..and when he comes home..
Thank you Lord God for a mothers love..
For me this week, welcoming the word has meant each morning a prayer of thanks for the new day, the sleep and rest for my niece and Ollie and the’good news’ update, on the family WhatsApp. My soil, may not be as it should be, but in this small way, I hope,I am tilling my familys heart as most respond with an Amen.
Strength and encouragement, ultimately, the glory goes to God, for His faithfulness, grace and love. For His protection and extended ear to hear the prayers of the warriors, YOU, who took this family worry, and made it their own, to pray so fervently for people the didn’t know..
Thank you is not enough, my sisters, but its all I have, from my heart to yours, thank you for the strength you afforded our family through your prayers, and the encouragement in your words, thank you..
Funny thing just happened, the song “we are family ” popped into my head, ’tis true in God’s economy we are!
Amen.❤
So now an update: Danni, my niece is doing great and is likely to be discharged today..
She will be allowed to see Ollie as she leaves, and then from then on he(Ollie) will be in isolation for the next 2/3 weeks. That is going to be hard to be that long away from her son, so might I ask for continued prayer for them both in this vital, yet heartbreaking separation.. Ollies daddy has been with him, and will continue to be..
Olie, is doing amazingly, news came through that he is producing creatineine, and peeing a lot which suggests things are going well..
PRAISE GOD.OH, PRAISE GOD.MY SOUL PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS!
Praising and thanking God for each and every one of you.. Be blessed as you have blessed my family through you prayers..
Thank you..wrapped in love ❤
God is my strength and my refuge!
@TAYLOR, praying for you…I remember how I felt too! My advice is be genuinely present with your clients and all that you are should shine through your eyes (despite mask).
@TINA, how are you?!
@SRT sisters, God bless your weekend.
We are preparing for Dad to come home after big stroke… please pray for Dad, and for all of us serving him, especially Mom. God bless ❤️