You Don't Have to Do It All

As a swimmer, I always viewed my sport as very independent. After all, most of my time was spent with my head under the water while the noise of the world remained above. However, one of the perks of swimming breaststroke was hearing my teammates cheer me on as I raced up and down the pool, their voices breaking through the muffled sound of the crowd when my ears broke the surface with each stroke.

Not surprisingly, my times rapidly improved when my teammates were cheering me on. Their encouragement not only made the race more fun, but it also made me better.

In a world that often celebrates independence and self-sufficiency, it's easy to forget that we were never meant to go through life on our own. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul reminds us of the incredible strength and freedom that comes from leaning on the Lord and each other. Contrary to societal pressures, we don't have to carry every burden by ourselves. We were built for community, accountability and mutual support.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing." –1 Thessalonians 5:11

This verse encapsulates the essence of encouragement, yet it's essential to delve deeper into the meaning of this encouragement. It goes beyond simply cheering each other on. It's about inspiring one another to live a life that aligns with the profound truth of our salvation and the hope of eternal life.

Paul, the author of Thessalonians, knew the power of encouragement. In this verse, he encourages believers to be encouragers themselves. He emphasizes that our ability to encourage and build each other up stems from the truth of our salvation and the transformative effects of that salvation. We were not just saved in isolation; we are called to help fellow believers experience glorious transformation and embrace a victorious future.

Paul's example of encouragement can be found in the preceding verses (1 Thessalonians 5:4-10). He challenges the Thessalonians by reminding them of their identity as children of the light, thanks to their faith in Jesus. This means being vigilant and utilizing the armor of faith, love and salvation bestowed upon them by God through Jesus Christ.
 

Children of the Light

Paul underscores the significance of recognizing our identity in Christ. Believers are children of the light, called to live in the knowledge that we have been redeemed and are now bearers of God's truth and grace.

Armor of Faith, Love and Salvation

Paul encourages believers to equip themselves with the armor of faith, love and salvation. These spiritual armaments provide protection and strength, allowing us to navigate the challenges of life with resilience and encourage our fellow believers to do the same.

The Role of Community

Paul's message is clear: We are not alone in this journey. We need each other for mutual encouragement and accountability. Just as iron sharpens iron, we can help one another grow, mature and stand firm in our faith.

As we look to Paul's example, we see that encouragement is rooted in understanding our identity as children of the light and equipping ourselves with the armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10-18). Through community and mutual support, we can fulfill the call to encourage one another and build each other up, resulting in a life of glorious transformation and a future filled with victory.

Let us embrace the power of encouragement, recognizing that we don't have to go through life alone, and that our true strength lies in Christ with the support of a community of believers. They make life more fun, and they make us better.

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “… and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” –Ephesians 3:19

Question: Who are the people in your community? How do they help you grow in your faith?

Challenge: If you don't have these people around you yet, pray that God would bring the right people you could invite to meet with on a regular basis. We are better together.

CTA: As athletes, we deal with a thousand things at once. Practice, schoolwork, relationships, pressure in performing for a starting spot–it can all be too much. Find a way that brings the right kind of balance and rhythm: The CORE.

*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.