One of the great questions of life that individuals throw upward to heaven is..why?
Like modern day Psalmists, we believers constantly look to God in times of trial and, if our prayers were facebook posts, the status would say: Why am I going through this difficulty? In this, of course is the assumption that all should be well. It should be...but it usually isn't. I don't know anyone who likes trials. I sure don't. Yet, trials and difficulties are simply a part of life. Pastor Rick Warren recently stated in a meeting that I was in that he used to think of life as a series of hills and valleys; he continued by stating that now he views life as a railroad track, with blessings on one track and trials on the other....inferring you need both to move forward. As clever as that is, there is no illustration that is adequate to describe the questioning that often happens as we transition through the stages of life. Jesus of course had alot to say about it as in John 16:33, but I noticed in reading 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, that in Paul's encouraging letter to the new church, he states a fact of life for believers. You might recall that in Acts 17:1-13, the new Church that Paul and his associates started in Thessalonica made alot of people angry...so angry that Paul had a very short visit and was essentially run out of town. The opponents of Paul disliked him so much they chased him to Berea, prompting Luke to make the comment comparing the character of Bereans vs. Thessalonians in Acts 17:11!
Destined for trials? Yes. Look at 1 Thessalonians 3:3. Living for Jesus is not the easiest thing....but it's better than the alternative. Paul says in 1 Thess 3:8....now we REALLY LIVE if you stand fast in the Lord....
So? What does that have to do with me? Everything! Your commitment to Christ, your Church attendance, your Christian witness that you live out everyday is encouraging someone. It encourages someone like your children who watch what you do, your pastor and fellow church members who struggle side by side in this world to live for God. YOU are making a difference, even if you don't think you are .
The Thessalonian church illustrates for us the power in the grace of God. It really was a miracle when the grace of God came to you, Christian. Trials are a part of life, but look WHO WE HAVE that has brought us LIFE!
As John 20:31 declares, Jesus came to redeem us, but following the redemption, having believed, we might have LIFE in His name!
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