“We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.” 1 Thessalonians 2:2-4 (NIV)
When Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica, part of the purpose was to remind them the purpose of affliction or tribulations. The word “tribulation” means, “tight, or narrow.” The idea is something that oppresses or squeezes or afflicts you. Afflictions, suffering and persecution are from the same family. We were destined for this. This is weird for us who have never experienced it!
It’s something we don’t often teach. Paul had taught them about the nature of tribulations, and Timothy as he went reminded them again.
What did he remind them? He reminded them not to be “unsettled” by them.
The word “unsettled” means in this verse, “shake, shudder”. Timothy reminded them not to let tribulations, trials, or afflictions lead them to shake their faith. This word is rooted in one that means cheating. It is possible that those chasing the Thessalonians were telling them that they had not been deceived by Paul and that these tribulations confirmed that what they had believed was not true. This was a hoax.
Today too many have been deceived when they are taught that by believing in Christ there will be no difficulties or trials. They are told that they will have a “good” life, happy, and that God will bless them in every way, especially materially. This isn’t true.
The truth about tribulations is that we were destined to go through them. This is what Paul told them they were going to experience and it happened. This seems like a strange teaching, but it’s not. In Acts 14:22 Paul told them he affirmed to believers in several cities:
“confirming the spirits of the disciples, exhorting them to remain in the faith, and saying unto them, It is necessary that through many tribulations we enter into the kingdom of God.”
This is what the Lord Jesus Christ also taught (see John 16:1-3, 33; Matthew 5:10-12)
Believers as followers of Christ follow in his footsteps, and his footsteps involve suffering, persecution, and tribulations. It’s part of being a believer. The church in other parts of the world experiences this daily.
Are you experiencing difficulties, affliction, trials or tribulations that are shaking up your faith? Be assured that this is a sign that you are a child of God. You were meant for this. He will give you the strength you need to go through them. May the words of our Lord bring you comfort:
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” – John 16:33 (NIV)
