“There are two things that kill the soul: despair and false hope.” —Augustine
Have you ever been around those who are despairing? They only see darkness; they only feel heaviness; they cannot perceive a way out.
How about those with false hope? They may see a light, but they’re not sure it’s real; the relief they feel is only temporary; nothing seems lasting or sure.
Despair and false hope crush the soul to death.
The word encourage means to inspire with courage … to give someone reason to hope … to breathe true life into their soul.
Political unrest doesn’t disturb the one grounded in real Hope. Economic turmoil doesn’t shake the one who knows the Provider. Social instability doesn’t cause anxiety for the one who knows the Prince of Peace. Death doesn’t crush the one who knows the Resurrected Lord.
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. … Therefore encourage each other with these words.
…But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. … Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when He returns, we can live with Him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, 18; 5:8, 10-11)
The good news—the hope-filled news—is Jesus is alive!
A relationship with Him is life!
A life full of hope!
A life full of promise!
A life full of Him that’s unending throughout eternity!
Do you know this hope? Are you sharing this hope with others?
Craig T. Owens 