I am weary in body and mind, Father. May my spirit be quickened to share what You would have me share. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 (<<click here to read the passage)

We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper]. v14

You may have to read this verse a couple of times through to truly absorb its impact, but it truly shows Paul to be a proponent of tough love. In my mind’s eye, I see him as a tough nut, not one to put up with much foolishness but also one who would literally give you the robe off his back. He was a man of great love but also one who would not back down on the truth. Of course, he was just as human as I am but he truly strove to be like You in all he did.

Lord Jesus, help me, too, to be like You in all I do! This verse pulls out one small snippet of life but shows clearly how we must respond to life. Life is all about discerning situations, responding in love and patience, for myself and others to do the very best we can, even if there is some pushing involved.

Way too often we go the easiest route. As I think back to my days at Kohl’s, it was much easier to not warn the lazy – it was easier to complain behind their backs. With all that had to be done, it was just too much work to change them. But the thing about responding that way is that nothing improves. Things didn’t get done. Those who were working their fannies off often got frustrated. It was far too easy to think poorly of others and tear them down. Warnings with patience would have yielded much better results! Love is best.

Sometimes in life, we respond the same way to those who are timid, though their lack of activity may be due to shyness or fear of doing something wrong. Again, if we would just encourage them with love and patience, it would move everyone farther down the desired path.

The path of least resistance may be easy, but unfortunately, it doesn’t really get us anywhere. Tasks don’t get done with efficiency but more importantly, we miss opportunities to love and lift each other up.

Lord, help us to invest in people with tough love and patience.

(July 30th, 2015, Thurs, 7:46 am)
Dec 5th, 2022, Mon, 6:39 pm