We're Still In This: Healthy Truths For Happy RelationshipsSample

What About Me? Paul makes it very clear in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 that we are to encourage and build one another up. One would think that is the easiest thing in the world to do, especially when it comes to encouraging those we love, but sadly for many… encouraging words just don’t tend to roll off the tongue like you would think. We live in a social-media-saturated world whose byline mainly screams out, “What about ME?” And while social media platforms can be used to connect believers, send out prayer requests, and share news with your friends and family, it can also set the stage for self-centeredness. This condition of self-centeredness makes it more difficult to be happy for someone else’s success while we are struggling to find our own. Online media is sometimes focused on serving us while encouragement is focused on serving others. But that is exactly what Paul is referencing in our Scripture today. “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” And here’s the funny thing about encouragement: the more you encourage someone else, the more you feel encouraged. It’s beautiful how that works, isn’t it? And it’s also God’s way. Tangible Takeaway: We need to spend more time focusing on encouraging and building up one another than emphasizing self – changing our “what about me” to “what about others”. Honestly ask yourself: “Do I spend more time promoting myself than encouraging others?” Personalize today’s Scripture by adding your name, and be encouraged through encouraging. “Therefore, ( your name) , encourage one another and, ( your name) , build up one another, just as you also are doing”. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NASB)