One day over coffee, a friend and I were talking, and she shared information about a difficult season she had been through with one of her kids. This woman had always carried herself with dignity and beautiful fruits of the Holy Spirit. If our conversation had never reached those depths, I would not have imagined she had faced any hardships. Her vulnerability and honesty gave me a safe place to share too. She never once made me feel like an outcast. Instead, she prayed for me, holding my hand across the table.
3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.
6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, NIV, emphasis mine)
One of my teammates just competed in Ironman 70.3 (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run), finishing in 8 hours and 8 minutes. He posted about his race–and several other friends were there that day competing as individuals or part of a relay team. These friends give me courage and hope to step into physical challenges. I never would have contemplated a triathlon without their stories–they are in their 40s and 50s doing hard things.
Likewise, I have found encouragement and strengthened faith when a friend tells me of difficulties she’s walked through. Just like Medal Monday photos show the race day celebration, a flawless walk may look good on the outside. But it’s the daily facing of discipline and training, the challenge that pushes back, leaving one tired and sore at the day’s end that builds endurance. And in a walk with the Lord, it’s trusting in Him, and in the work, the prayer, the promise, that one perseveres. Hoping for things as yet unseen. Knowing he is our strength, foundation, and savior–holding the beginning and the end.
It’s good to be in community with people who are willing to be real about life and faith, with people who have all either taken a first step into the work, or have faced unexpected challenges. How wonderful it is that God will use difficulty and hardship, and bring something new from it, strengthening the Body.
My friend’s story was years in the making, and my teammate’s training was built over years too. For all of us walking through a challenging season, let us take heart in Christ and his power. He has overcome the world.
Father God, in hardship and persecution, it can feel so lonely and oppressive. Thank you for putting people in my life who’ve faced really difficult issues–their faith speaks into me, encourages me. Shame, isolation, and even pride are tactics of Satan, but you delight in humility, repentance, and truth. Strengthen my heart, Lord.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 