Unshakable: Living Faithfully Through the Tough Seasons of LifeSample

Unshakable // Keeping Things In Perspective

What would you love to hear when you’re in the middle of a difficult season of life? How would you encourage someone else who’s going through a tough time? It’s not easy to know what to say. At the start of his letter to the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul gives a brilliant picture of what to focus on. He knew this young church really well. He was there when they first discovered the good news of Jesus. He understood how difficult it was for them as their neighbors and friends rejected them. Even though he left when they urged him to, he had seen firsthand the impact of the Gospel on their lives.

As we read through this letter, it’s clear that they were still dealing with some intense persecution - paying a big price for choosing to follow Jesus. So Paul encourages them by reminding them of their first encounter with the Gospel. From the start, they had responded to the good news with enthusiasm and conviction, they experienced the reality of God’s grace and love in powerful ways. They faced rejection and ridicule, but instead of being shaken, their faith was strengthened, and they discovered a supernatural joy in the middle of suffering.

When things are hard, it’s tough to recall how passionate and full of joy we were when we first came to faith. The reality of God’s presence and His love can feel quite elusive when the storms of life take a toll. That’s why it can be incredibly helpful to seek out others who were there when we met Jesus and decided to follow him. People who can remind us what it was like and how much God has done in our lives. It’s important to take the time to recall and retell our story. To look beyond our circumstances - and remember.

The second thing Paul focuses on is how much their experience has encouraged other believers. Hard times are never enjoyable, but when we persevere through difficult experiences, we help grow the faith of those around us. Jesus suffered, Paul was persecuted, and the Thessalonian Christians knew hardship like them. Paul wants them to know that everyone who heard about their courage and faithfulness was inspired to be more like them - and Jesus. Their lives were a reminder that the Kingdom of God is real and that the life of faith is worth it.

It’s not necessarily what we want to hear when things are difficult. But it’s such a good reminder. God uses the valleys we are going through to encourage others - an invitation to leadership. Hardship is not a sign that our faith is somehow weak or flawed - it’s how God grows a deeper level of trust and humility. Those are the qualities of Kingdom leadership, and God uses this space to equip us to build others up. It’s a bit counterintuitive, but we are reminded to lift our eyes and see what God is doing in the middle of our pain and discomfort.

There is a time to grieve, a time to be comforted, a time to heal - but we don’t do it on our own. God’s Spirit is with us, His presence sustains us, His joy strengthens us, and others are drawn towards the goodness of God when we walk in faithfulness. Paul wanted the Thessalonians to reflect on this truth, and we should too. Whatever you are facing right now, God is with you and promises to never leave or forsake you. He will finish what He has started, and your life may well be the greatest witness to the reality of God that those around you will ever get to see.

1. Who should I catch up with to remember the joy of getting saved?
2. Whose faith inspires me the most in terms of persevering through tough times?