The Path of Perseveranceናሙና

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul is writing to the church of Thessalonica, which he last saw at the beginning of his missionary journey. Since then, they have faced persecution, hardship, and unexpected loss. He reaches out with this letter of encouragement to bring remembrance to the hope they received in Christ. Paul, having endured his own suffering, knows that the testing of such trials is accompanied by the great temptation of losing hope and faith in Jesus.

For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

Can you imagine the questions that came to mind within these people who had witnessed the power of the Gospel by the Holy Spirit yet now had found themselves in the fire and testing of trial? What does this even mean for their faith? They had experienced the love of God, yet now, loss and death look at them and say otherwise. I believe that we can identify well with this tension even now. The question is, what do you do when you know whom you believe in, yet your circumstances do not want you to believe that truth?

When things get hard, remember He chose you. When challenges seem far from you, remember He chose you. Paul brings these words to the Thessalonians, knowing that if this truth alone can be destroyed, so would the hope of their eternal salvation. This choice often feels like a challenge for us to comprehend in our own lives. So often, when hardships come, we actually begin to believe the opposite: that we aren’t chosen, that we aren’t loved, and maybe that we have done something wrong regarding our faith for these things to happen.

Yet Paul flips the script on this very lie that tries to come against many by anchoring us to simple and powerful truth. The truth is that Christ has chosen us, and He loves us. This is the power of the gospel that has saved us and will save us despite our present sufferings. He chose us, knowing well that with Him, we can endure just like Jesus did when He was tested, tempted, and tried.

The enemy's greatest fear is a believer who chooses to root themselves in the character and love of Christ despite what may try to come against them and their faith. The anchor for our souls comes when we remember whom we believe in and remind ourselves that He has chosen us, He loves us, and that no trial can dictate or alter His stance toward us. This gives us the power and hope to endure—even to the end.

1. Remember a time in your life when it felt like trial and circumstance was coming against you and your faith.
2. What did God reveal to you about Himself in the midst of that trial?
3. How did you come out on the other side? Now, looking back, would you trade that trial for the truth you have now found in Him and in yourself?