Encourage One Another
Dear Faith Family,
Therefore encourage one another with these words, (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
What words? Encourage one another with what words? Hold on. First, a story that hopefully helps to give texture to the answer.
When our children were little and my wife was busy, yes – she actually left me alone with the children, I was the dad who liked to be out and about. On one such occasion, I was enjoying lunch with my kiddos at Ryan’s buffet. My daughter liked the baby cabbages (known in some circles as Brussels sprouts). To my utter surprise and sheer delight, in walked my best friend! I didn’t know that she was coming. My wife blessed us with her company. She’s still my best friend and I still delight in her arrival after we’ve been apart!
The encouraging words? Your best friend is coming! Grief is real. But no more real than the hope that we have in the Savior who died and rose from the dead, namely Jesus – (John 15:13-15 – pull out your Bible and take time to read those verses). Here’s the hope, the encouraging words: this same Jesus is coming back! This greatest of friends is returning to us. And there’s more! He’s bringing with Him those who have died in Christ. Your fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters in Christ are coming back. Ryan’s ain’t big enough!
Think about what that looks like. You will actually meet Jesus, face to face! And those with Him? They / we will all be glorified! No sin. No selfishness. No conflict. No misunderstandings. Instead, Jesus in the center of our relationships! I can’t even imagine.
So, grief? Sure. For now. Be fair with yourself. But don’t you dare grieve without hope. The hope, who is Jesus. Encourage yourself and others with His words of encouragement.
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