2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,
Everyone needs to be encouraged from time to time. Part of the reality of life is that we get worn down and get discouraged. It is easy to look at our circumstances and bury our heads in our hands in despair. Circumstances can be overwhelming to our human resources. The bills can seem to pile up, even when we have cut every extra expense from our lives. We can be eating Ramen noodles and boxed Mac N’ Cheese and still not meet our bills. We buy used tires and shop at yard sales for school clothes. We sell the stuff we don’t use to raise food money. Circumstances can overwhelm us. Paul was very aware of this tendency. That is one of the reasons he travels around and encourages the believers. They are living in a time of persecution and more is on the way. It would be easy to get focused on that persecution instead of on the hope we have in Christ. Our focus determines our outlook. When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord, life is full and rich because the Lord is full and rich. Our attention moves from the moment by moment to the eternal. These temporary problems are just that: temporary. They will pass. All our years here on this earth are just a heartbeat in our lives. We have eternity waiting beyond death. So we can get stuck in the downward spiral of circumstances or receive the encouragement of the Scriptures that provide perspective to our lives. But I want to caution one thing: when circumstances are going well, we still need to focus our lives on the Lord. Let us not become “fire escape” Christians, only praying when things go badly, when we can’t pool our resources and get ourselves out of the mess. The Lord gives and takes away. In the times of blessing we must stay focused and grow in our relationship to Him. Tough times will come. The Lord will be with you. He never leaves, even if it feels that way.
The Arnold Journey 