Strengthen One Another
READ: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
At the basketball game Friday night, Jamie was playing a very good game. She had been getting most of the baskets in. Her team was only one point behind with ten seconds to go. A teammate threw Jamie the ball, and as the buzzer went off, the ball bounced off the rim of the hoop. After the game, Jamie felt really bad. Jamie's friend Jackie saw Jamie in the hallway and that she was looking down. Jackie knew what was wrong.
“You played a good game, Jamie. You shouldn’t feel bad about one basket. I’m sure you’ll do better next time. God didn’t want it to happen right now. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be right now,” Jackie said.
Jamie looked up, smiled and said, “Thanks, Jackie, I really needed that right now.”
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul encourages us to build up each other in Christ, just as Jackie helped Jamie feel better after the game. We must go cheer each other on and strengthen each other up in and through Jesus. We should pray for one another, comfort each other and just be there when someone needs to talk. Most of all, we should hold how God's promise of love and faithfulness, the forgiveness we have in Jesus and the heaven that awaits us.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Why do we get down on ourselves when we know we’re good at something, but came up short? What might we say or do for a friend whose down? How does a good listener act?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Ask God for courage and strength to build up those who are down. Pray that God would pick them up with his love and promises.