In Paul’s message from 1 Thessalonians 3, he shares the role of spiritual encouragement in the face of life’s inevitable trials. Using his own life experiences and ministry as a blueprint, he outlines three points for the modern believer:

He had good reason for his Concerns, as the passage emphasizes that believers are going to experience afflictions. These trials arrive through three avenues: Adversity (life’s circumstances), an Adversary (spiritual opposition), or our own Actions. Rather than choosing "flight," Christians are called to "fight," remembering that Christ has already overcome the world.

The Necessity of Spiritual Encouragement: Paul distinguishes between "encouragers," who build up the body of Christ, and "discouragers," who focus on negativity. His deep concern for the Thessalonians led him to send Timothy to "establish" them. In the same way, a pastor’s burden—has been likened to a mother’s love—is to ensure members do not "fold" when their faith is challenged.

And lastly, he prays for them and for their success as the church. Which is not defined in numerical growth but in the "good news" of faith and love. Which is found in the church that is seeking God daily and abounding in genuine concern for others.

He longs for them and prays that they will increase in truth and remain blameless in holiness. How I long that these things will be evident in our lives at Hazard FBC.