Paul closes his discussion about unexpected tragedies or tests in the same way he closed his discussion on death. In 1st Thessalonians 4:18 it says, “Therefore encourage each other with these words.” In 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” The KJV puts it, “comfort each other.” God’s promises to His children are a comfort in times of fear, loss and uncertainty. But they should also an encouragement to make the most of those times of testing.
The only way to do this is by being prepared. That’s probably why Paul added in 5:11 the injunction, “to build each other up.” He recognizes and affirms that they were already doing this. But we’re never so well prepared that there’s no room for additional “building up.”
Maintaining what you’ve already achieved is not easy. We need to help each other by checking on each other. If we see deterioration we need to encourage each other to get back on track. If we sense frustration we need to encourage and help in building each other up. That’s what Paul meant in verse 6, “be alert and self-controlled.” He amplified this in verse 8, “Let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
We need each other if we’re going to succeed in this matter of being prepared. So, do a reality check. Or better yet, do a reality check on each other.