And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 2 Thess 3:5

We all want to be encouraged. Encouragement is needed when we feel we are at the end of our rope, or our backs are up against the wall. There are times in everyone’s life when we feel helpless and like we just want to give up. It is in times like these that we most need encouragement. Encouragement is what lifts our hearts and strengthens one’s belief to not give up but preserve and press on. The scripture passage is a prayer of encouragement. The Apostle loved the local church and fervently prayed for them. He understood the troubles, trials, and difficulties they faced due to their faith and work to spread the gospel. He understood that in troubled times, when opposition is greatest, and the enemy is in full assault, that believers’ hearts are most vulnerable and begin to faint. It is in these times that believers fade into selfishness and fall into despair. These are the times when the child of God needs “the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God.” These are the times when we most need strength and encouragement in the love of God to remind us that we are forgiven and not forsaken. God knows His children need of grace-filled reminders, and we are called to encourage our brethren until the return of Jesus Christ (Heb. 3:13). And finally, dearly beloved, the source of our strength to gain and give encouragement is in the word of God. The word of God encourages the believer “into the patient waiting for Christ” and the Holy Spirit empowers us to lift one another toward the Lord in brotherly love (Col 4:8). My friend, be encouraged in the salvation of the Lord and in His love. For in God’s love, we are secured and strengthened. And in His word, we grow in Christ’s patience that encourages us and enables us to face our daily trials and troubles, problems, and difficulties, to live victoriously until His soon return that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom 8:37). Father thank You for Your love and the strength of Your word. By Your grace, direct my heart and strengthen my faith that I may be an encourager to my brethren. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.