Perseverance
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 9:31PM As Paul begins his second letter to the Thessalonians, he thanks God for their growing faith and their increasing love. He continues with the message that perseverance through affliction develops maturity.
Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. 2 Thessalonians 1:4
So often we say we want maturity, but we want it without having to endure the affliction that develops maturity. "Lord, give me patience, and give it to me right now." We want God to make us strong and bulk us up spiritually, but we don’t want to have to lift all the heavy weights.
The reality of our journey through life is this: it is necessary to go through times of trouble. We all are going to go through times when life seems unfair and when the pain seems unbearable. But it is in these moments that God is refining and growing us toward maturity. In order for tribulation to grow us, we must lean on Him and allow Him to mold us for His glory.
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
