Therefore, encourage one another and build
one another up, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 New American
Standard Bible
The word “therefore” is an
indicator that we need to look at the context of the passage. This is always
important, but when that word is used it means that what follows is directly
tied to what was already said. This chapter is talking about the Day of the
Lord, the day when Jesus will come back, set all to rights and this world as we
know it will end. We need to be aware of what is going on so that we will not
be taken by surprise. Hard times will come and we need to stay strong and stand
firm in the truth. Therefore we need
to keep encouraging each other. I know as I think about the hard times ahead of
us (whether we are entering those last days or not), it is easy to worry and
fear. How much worse will things get? What will happen to my family? We need to
make sure that we stay strong in the Lord, but it helps to have people stand
beside us to help us take courage. That is why Ecclesiastes talks about the
strand of three chords and two is better than one. If one falls, the other can
help them back up. We need people around us to help keep us on the path of
truth and to encourage us when we are down or afraid. I was talking with my
pastor Sunday about limiting negative voices in my life. Sometimes it is
necessary to stop being around people who are negative and drag us down, but
that is not always possible. In those cases it is important to surround
ourselves with more positive voices, people who encourage and lift us up, to
drown out the negative voices that condemn and drag us down. This is not saying
that we should only ever talk to people who share our political convictions or
anything of that sort. I am referring to the way people talk. Some only complain, gossip, criticize or worry and
that is not helpful for anyone. As friends we can agree to disagree. It is more
important to surround ourselves with godly people who will encourage and point
us to God, rather than those who share our convictions and add to our fear or
depression.
Who do you spend time with?
Who do you allow to speak into your life? What kind of words are they speaking,
words of life or darkness? Make sure that the people who influence you are
godly and uplifting, but also make sure that you are that yourself!
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