I sat on the floor with my back against the wall in the dark room. It seemed opposition surrounded me on all sides. I only wanted to share the joy I felt, the peace in Christ that I was so generously given. I did not anticipate such hatred of such good news. Who would turn away from eternal hope? It was discouraging to me.
I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold on. “Stand firm.” His words echoed in my mind. “Hold fast to the teachings.” I knew I was called to this. I remembered the Spirit of God coming alive in my heart: my parched soul was quenched. It was humbling to think we could share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. I only wanted others to share in this glory.
“Hey,” my brother in Christ said as he entered the dark room illuminated by a lamp. “There you are.” He sat down next to me and placed the lamp on the floor between us. “What are you doing here? You look so worried.”
“I’m discouraged,” I replied. “It seems pointless to try to tell people about Jesus.”
I watched him smile as he pulled out the letter and opened it. “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself…,” he read. “… and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
Paul’s words stirred my heart. I smiled and nodded.
“Remember where our strength, our encouragement comes from,” my brother in Christ reminded me.
#WednesdayWalk through the Bible. What unknown people experienced in the Bible, based on 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17.
© 2019 CGThelen
140 Character Christian 
Those who sow seeds rarely get to see the harvest – in this life. But I am looking forward to meeting everyone in heaven who are there, in part, because God used me to plant somehting in their lives.
What a glorious day that will be. Thanks for the comment.
Apostle Paul’s writings always bring words filled with light to those who feel discouraged while experiencing darkness in their lives. Christ used spirit and light to bring forth His brother Paul.
Paul sure had reason to be discouraged, but was an encouragement to so many. Blessings.
Wonderful illustration. Sometimes we do get discouraged when we don’t see the immediate results of sharing Jesus with others. In faith we know He is always at work but we want immediate confirmation.