1 Thess 5:14a And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive,
With school starting this week, I am squarely in “school mindset,” and I chuckled at how closely these verses apply to both school and life. Try to get the idle and disruptive back on track, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. That can be a pretty tall order, especially that last one.
1 Thess 5:14b …encourage the disheartened, help the weak…
Here’s the rub, though (or the irony or the kicker), it is often myself that I have the hardest time being patient with. I can patiently cajole and encourage and help others all day long (more or less….) but I expect instant perfection from myself. It’s an objectively ridiculous stance, and yet I guarantee that many of you are nodding in agreement as you read. Jesus, Help us.
1 Thess 5:14c …be patient with everyone.
Lord, Thank you for the wellspring of cajoling, encouragement, help, and patience that I often have for others. Help me to treat myself with the same love and care. I am Your deeply love creation. We all are. Help us to never forget that fact. Amen.
1 Thess 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Have a blessed day.