Comfort Each Other

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Has there ever been a time when you felt like you were all alone in this world? That nobody cared either way if  you lived or died?

I think most of us have felt this at one time or another. Sometimes it may be because we are facing a trial that nobody else in our lives understands. They don't grasp the importance of it to us. Other times, we can talk ourselves into feeling this way, because we listen to the little lies that the enemy is continually whispering in our ears. But alot of the time it is because we are out of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This can be because we have been too busy with our own lives to participate either in church or in gatherings, because of illness or other situations that keep us away, or it can be simply because we have chosen to stay away.

I have found that sometimes it's my pride that keeps me out of fellowship. Either I am embarrassed by something that I feel I should be able to control in my life, or again, that nobody will understand my issue. But mostly it's because I allow myself to believe that nobody really cares. And I know that is absolutely not true!

God has given us one another to rely upon, to depend upon, for our daily encouragement. We need one another. We should feel safe with other believers, but sometimes we don't, and sometimes with good reason. We are all human, and occasionally even the most faithful friend and confidant will let us down. That is when our faith itself should lift us up to be of help to that person. Sometimes when we are going through something, that is when God will use us to help someone else. And in return, we will receive the help we need, from another person, and ultimately from our Lord.

Be in fellowship. Explore the Word and see what value God has placed on it. Read what Jesus did when praying with His disciples, and when He visited the homes of the lost, and of His friends. He placed great importance on fellowship. And we should too.

Don't let those little lies from satan keep you from experiencing one of the greatest benefits of being a Christian…the love, comfort, edification, and encouragement that comes from fellowshiping with your brothers and sisters in Christ. What a great help God has provided for us. It is just like our Father to give such a gift as friends.