Good morning people who trust God in good times and in bad times

2 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV) Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

“What do people say about us in times of persecutions and trials?”

As well as the Thessalonians increasing faith in God and love for people, Paul, Silas and Timothy boasted about how the Thessalonians handled persecutions and trials. Rather than allowing persecutions and trials turn them into bitter, angry or disillusioned people, they remained faith-filled. They didn’t give up but kept their focus on their God; the God Who is always faithful and is always working for our good. I believe they were like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who came through the fire and did not smell of smoke nor was their hair singed. The raging fire did not get on the inside and their lives showed a confidence in their God.

The reality is every person will go through devastating and difficult times. But the question is, “How will we journey through those times?”

“What convictions do you hold about God? Do you believe God is for you even when situations are against you? Do you believe God is faithful when people let you down and tragically hurt you? Do you believe God is a Restorer and a Redeemer even when devastation seems to be your lot in life?”

I don’t know what you are going through. I don’t presume to understand the depth of pain and the degree of contradiction. But I simply want to encourage you to lean into the God Who leans into you. What you need can only be found in Him. We can walk through the valley of the shadow of death in a God-honouring way because He is always with us.