The Lord's Message Rang Out

1 Thessalonians 1:6a - 8a - You became imitators..of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers....The Lord’s message rang out from you....your faith in God has become known everywhere....

Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica. He has praise for them. He builds them up by telling them what they are doing right - that they reflect Christ, that they must be filled with the Holy Spirit because they are joyful in the midst of their severe suffering, that their faith in God is evident and well-known.

I have been very fortunate and blessed in my life to not have suffered anything severe. I don't know if I could be joyful in the midst of severe suffering. I do know that when I am in pain, oftentimes, God comes to my rescue even without my asking. I went to the dentist today. I don't do dentist visits very well. I had a large cavity that needed filled. I needed shots - UGH. He had to drill and grind to removed the bad part of the tooth. I was clinching my hands together; my knuckles were probably white. I had my eyes squeezed closed. Every muscle was taut. The dentist kept asking if I was ok. I was, of course, but I was still as tense as I could be. There was no relaxation in me at all. Then for no reason I can think of a praise song came to mind. The drill kept drilling but, in my head, I was singing the praise song in the midst of it. I immediately experienced a physical relaxation. I don't know if it was obvious to the dentist and hygienist but it was to me. I hadn't prayed in that moment for peace. I don't know if I even prayed for peace before I went. I wasn't even in a state of mind to think to pray. But God knew I needed Him anyway and sent me a reminder. In my moment of stress, God comforted me. It's happened before. I'm sure it will happen again. God is good that way.

Thank you, God for sending me reminders that You are always with me. May my faith in You be evident to others so that they too may experience the peace and comfort that You provide wen You know we need it most.

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