1 Thessalonians 2: Our friends, you
yourselves know that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 You know how we had already
been mistreated and insulted in Philippi before we came to you in Thessalonica.
And even though there was much opposition, our God gave us courage to tell you
the Good News that comes from him.
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“There will be hundreds
of people in the audience” were the words that made me nervous. I was asked to
be one of the speakers at a regional meeting and I had never spoken to an
audience of this size. I asked for tips to control my nervousness. One person
said “practice”, another said “Don’t practice, use a three point outline.” The
differing perspectives made me more nervous.
- I was scared to be in front of people.
- I worried about the validity of message.
- I replayed in my mind how I could possibly mess up in front of a lot of people.
Paul, Silas and
Timothy expressed the “opposition” they
faced in places like Philippi and Thessalonica. They had been slandered, ridiculed
and insulted. This could have been very discouraging if they had to rely on
their own courage, but they did not have to.
My Observations
- Sometimes I get scared, BUT GOD is there to help me through my fears.
- Sometimes I get nervous, BUT GOD is there to calm me down and lead me to a still place.
- Sometimes I get anxious, BUT GOD is there to give me courage.
Mustering up
courage when I am scared seems impossible. I mean, when I am fearful, I make
fearful decisions. I may not even think straight enough to apply logic. Words
like “Don’t be afraid” make me more afraid. BUT GOD has a remedy.
HE says to me “I
got this.” HE gives me the courage to speak about HIS SON when I am worried
about what people may think or if someone may oppose HIS message. GOD gently
reminds me that if HE is for me, who can be against me? I am glad GOD owns
courage and is willing to give it to me to speak about the Good News that comes
from HIM.
Challenge
- What opposition do you think the writers faced?
- Have you ever been worried, nervous or scared?
- Will you turn to the one who owns courage and ask HIM to give you the right words to present the “Good News” to those HE sends you to today?
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