1 Thess 1-5 Paul had brought the message of salvation to the Thessalonians, suffered for it, and had to leave. The Judaizers thought they had won by his absence, but then they heard he was preaching that same gospel of God in Berea. So they sent a delegation to destroy his message there. When the gospel is preached, the enemy Satan seeks to kill and destroy however he can. In his letter to the fledgling church, Paul reminded them that the believers in Judea whom they had never met were also facing this same suffering. What happened in the first century is happening today around our world. Satan is the adversary and will continue his work until Christ returns. Recently some converts in Pakistan faced extreme suffering when the government destroyed an entire village of believers for that reason alone.

As Paul did then, we must do today: pray that their faith endures and remain steadfast. You think your suffering is yours alone, but others are also facing some suffering. Remember the words of Peter: “do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.” [1 Peter 4:12] Instead,  “admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.” [1 Thess 5:14]

Who today is suffering and needs words of encouragement?