Sometimes we just have to leave things with the Lord.

“We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thessalonians 3 v 4-5)

Paul was not confident in the Thessalonians. But he was definitely confident in the Lord. After all his teaching and now these 2 letters he has sent them he says his confidence is in God. He doesn’t know how they will respond without God. It is true that without God we are nothing. If these Thessalonians are going to continue to follow Jesus it won’t be because of how good they are. It would be because of God. Of course it is a partnership. God cannot break our free will to follow Him or not. But ultimately everything is because of Him.

So he prays. It’s all about prayer isn’t it?

Actually it is all about whether God will decide to move upon His people.

Don’t we just want that for our nation? “God direct the hearts of people back to you!”

The result is they will love like God does and they will live in the steadfastness of Christ. It’s not sympathy we need at times, not even a listening ear … We need someone to say don’t give up! What are you facing? Hold on! I am praying for you!

People never just give up. They gave up behind the smiles and laughter a long time ago. No matter how resilient you are if you are not continually being empowered by Christ then you will fade.

I’m not thinking you need to ‘pull your socks up’ or to ‘keep smiling’ under duress. But rather have a conquering patience with anything that life can throw at you knowing that the Lord will direct your heart into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Whether your friend makes it though isn’t in the end your responsibility. I gave up that burden a while ago. There were moments when I thought I wanted a certain friend to follow Jesus more than they did! Sometimes we just have to leave things with the Lord.