In our last visit we discovered some things that brought Paul to the point of discouragement, if not despair. Now look at 1st Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 to see the positive action steps Paul took to overcome discouragement.
2:17-18 says: “Out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.” The words “intense longing” connote lusting or coveting. These are strong emotions that motivated positive action steps.
Being hindered by Satan Paul resorted to another positive response: affirm a powerful truth. Listen to verse 19, “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” In other words, even though frustrated by losing some battles, he affirmed by faith the war would be won by God’s people. Battle scars and setbacks will only make the ultimate victory that much more joyful and glorious!
In spite of this confident faith concerning the final victory, in the very next verse, chapter 3:1, we still find Paul struggling. So he takes another hard step. Listen to it, “when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy…” There was a willingness to make hard decisions.
In some ways it seemed like a step backwards, but we will see in our next visit that it was the beginning of his deliverance.
