Thanksgiving in Tough Times #23

Often times, we think that we are the only ones going through tough times. The Apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonian believers that that is rarely the case:

13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

Whether Jew or Gentile, in Judea or Macedonia, those who came to Christ were experiencing suffering and persecution for their faith.  Paul's thanksgiving was because they still believed the Gospel, and were still under the transforming work of the Word of God and Spirit of God. Why? They trusted the source, God Himself.  They trusted in Him as Creator, Sustainer, Defender, and loving Father; they took Him at His word.  Those are the kind of people we need to look to, be around, and encourage in their faith, as they encourage us.