I can’t stand it any longer!
I can’t stand it any longer! - Study 10/14/10
Is this where you are right now in your most important relationships – your marriage, your children, with your boss and some neighbors and some friends? The pain is so much and festering and definitely there is something standing on the way between you and the loved ones that is causing and engineering the pain. You may not even understand it all. So what are you doing or not doing about the situation?
Paul and company were in the exact same position in relating to and caring for the Thessalonians. Have you really come to say these words, “I cannot stand it any longer”? This may be our best words ever - an admission of helplessness but not defeat. Until we say these words, we really cannot invite God to do something about our situation. Paul knew very well that "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9).
What did Paul do and not do when Satan stood on the way between him and the ones he loved and cherished? Hello, do not for one moment think and believe that Satan is on your side to enable, encourage and strengthen your relationships? The opposite is Satan’s job description – “to steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). These are the exact words of Jesus' warning to us. Remember the goal for all our relationships is to build and encourage each toward an everlasting and meaningful relationship with God. This is what Satan is opposing and this is worth fighting for in our relationships.
Paul and company retreated, regrouped and reinforced – great and godly strategy we can learn from.
1 Thessalonians 2:17- 20 and chapter 3
17But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker[a]in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4In 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. 5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
6But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Notice the words of Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit. Make no mistakes; Satan is not “on our side”. “For we wanted to come to you certainly I, Paul, did, again and again- but Satan stopped us” 1 Thessalonians. 2:18. Look at what Paul was refereeing to in Acts 17 - first the opposition in Thessalonica and then they followed him to Berea to still cause trouble and stop the gospel. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12. Do you think the problems you are having in your relationships is all “man made”. Think again. Yes, some are as a result of our foolishness (going against known principles of God’s word); but behind it all is Satan’s plot to keep us and our loved ones away from God who helps us. This is what is at stake.
2. Let’s pause here and ask? Is it me causing the troubles and blaming Satan? There are proven principles of God’s word for relationships whether it is marriage, parent/child, school, neighbor or work situations. Let us make sure we are communicating properly and respecting and loving one another before we blame Satan. When our motive is right and godly, we get Satan’s attention like Paul did.
3. First, when Paul and company “could stand it no longer” (vs. 1) they retreated. “We thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens”. They took a break from the situation and pressure. The persecution had become so strong and Paul and Silas had been chased out of town by those who opposed the delivery and spread of the gospel (please read Acts 17). Paul went to Athens. Where is your Athens and is it time for you and me to take a break? Temporary but not permanent separation from our relationships/situations can be used by God to rebuild and strengthen. Take a break from the friction and let God oil the relationship with His grace and mercy. I know that God is speaking to some of us because we are experiencing the grinding and friction which is no fun right now.
4. Paul and company regrouped and sent in reinforcement. “When I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith.” vs.5. The one that was sent was Timothy. “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker …, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith” vs. 3. Intervention is necessary after retreat otherwise, progress in relationships are lost. Are you at a point you need a godly third-party intervention in your marriage, with your children, boss or neighbors? The goal for such intervention is to strengthen and encourage both parties. It is also to stop and guard against the “tempter” taking advantage of us. See verse 5.
5. Let’s keep in mind that everyone is suffering the attack of Satan and it is impacting all and not just us. Paul was suffering and likewise the Thessalonians were equally being persecuted. It helps to keep in mind that suffering comes in the territory. “When we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know” vs. 4. Don’t be surprised by suffering. It is the real life of believers – there will be challenges, oppositions etc along the way. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. 2 Timothy 3:12. But be of good cheer for Jesus has overcome the world and Satan for us.
6. I submit to you that really the first strategy employed by Paul and company before retreating, regrouping and reinforcing was the one we forget to do first most of the times and that is pray. Paul and company prayed to arrive at the strategies for ministry and for all relationships. They prayed specific prayers and that will be our focus in next week’s study. Are you praying for your relationships/situations and especially for your children? We must first pray so that God Himself will perform and heal all our relationships and draw us all closer to Him.
It is not at all hopeless though we may be helpless in our selves. That is really where God wants us to be – hopeful and helpless but seeking His Help. Look at the good news. “Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love” vs.6. Remember, God is at work in the lives of our loved ones even when we are distant from them literally and figuratively. You will be surprised that God is building their faith and that they are equally “longing to see us” and have “pleasant memories of us”.
You can’t take it any longer and it has become over-bearing to you? Regardless of what it is, please pray. And consider retreating, regrouping and reinforcing with godly intervention. May God strength all our relationships with one another and cause us to draw close to Him. Amen.
Is this where you are right now in your most important relationships – your marriage, your children, with your boss and some neighbors and some friends? The pain is so much and festering and definitely there is something standing on the way between you and the loved ones that is causing and engineering the pain. You may not even understand it all. So what are you doing or not doing about the situation?
Paul and company were in the exact same position in relating to and caring for the Thessalonians. Have you really come to say these words, “I cannot stand it any longer”? This may be our best words ever - an admission of helplessness but not defeat. Until we say these words, we really cannot invite God to do something about our situation. Paul knew very well that "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9).
What did Paul do and not do when Satan stood on the way between him and the ones he loved and cherished? Hello, do not for one moment think and believe that Satan is on your side to enable, encourage and strengthen your relationships? The opposite is Satan’s job description – “to steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). These are the exact words of Jesus' warning to us. Remember the goal for all our relationships is to build and encourage each toward an everlasting and meaningful relationship with God. This is what Satan is opposing and this is worth fighting for in our relationships.
Paul and company retreated, regrouped and reinforced – great and godly strategy we can learn from.
1 Thessalonians 2:17- 20 and chapter 3
17But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker[a]in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4In 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. 5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
6But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Notice the words of Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit. Make no mistakes; Satan is not “on our side”. “For we wanted to come to you certainly I, Paul, did, again and again- but Satan stopped us” 1 Thessalonians. 2:18. Look at what Paul was refereeing to in Acts 17 - first the opposition in Thessalonica and then they followed him to Berea to still cause trouble and stop the gospel. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:12. Do you think the problems you are having in your relationships is all “man made”. Think again. Yes, some are as a result of our foolishness (going against known principles of God’s word); but behind it all is Satan’s plot to keep us and our loved ones away from God who helps us. This is what is at stake.
2. Let’s pause here and ask? Is it me causing the troubles and blaming Satan? There are proven principles of God’s word for relationships whether it is marriage, parent/child, school, neighbor or work situations. Let us make sure we are communicating properly and respecting and loving one another before we blame Satan. When our motive is right and godly, we get Satan’s attention like Paul did.
3. First, when Paul and company “could stand it no longer” (vs. 1) they retreated. “We thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens”. They took a break from the situation and pressure. The persecution had become so strong and Paul and Silas had been chased out of town by those who opposed the delivery and spread of the gospel (please read Acts 17). Paul went to Athens. Where is your Athens and is it time for you and me to take a break? Temporary but not permanent separation from our relationships/situations can be used by God to rebuild and strengthen. Take a break from the friction and let God oil the relationship with His grace and mercy. I know that God is speaking to some of us because we are experiencing the grinding and friction which is no fun right now.
4. Paul and company regrouped and sent in reinforcement. “When I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith.” vs.5. The one that was sent was Timothy. “We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker …, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith” vs. 3. Intervention is necessary after retreat otherwise, progress in relationships are lost. Are you at a point you need a godly third-party intervention in your marriage, with your children, boss or neighbors? The goal for such intervention is to strengthen and encourage both parties. It is also to stop and guard against the “tempter” taking advantage of us. See verse 5.
5. Let’s keep in mind that everyone is suffering the attack of Satan and it is impacting all and not just us. Paul was suffering and likewise the Thessalonians were equally being persecuted. It helps to keep in mind that suffering comes in the territory. “When we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know” vs. 4. Don’t be surprised by suffering. It is the real life of believers – there will be challenges, oppositions etc along the way. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”. 2 Timothy 3:12. But be of good cheer for Jesus has overcome the world and Satan for us.
6. I submit to you that really the first strategy employed by Paul and company before retreating, regrouping and reinforcing was the one we forget to do first most of the times and that is pray. Paul and company prayed to arrive at the strategies for ministry and for all relationships. They prayed specific prayers and that will be our focus in next week’s study. Are you praying for your relationships/situations and especially for your children? We must first pray so that God Himself will perform and heal all our relationships and draw us all closer to Him.
It is not at all hopeless though we may be helpless in our selves. That is really where God wants us to be – hopeful and helpless but seeking His Help. Look at the good news. “Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love” vs.6. Remember, God is at work in the lives of our loved ones even when we are distant from them literally and figuratively. You will be surprised that God is building their faith and that they are equally “longing to see us” and have “pleasant memories of us”.
You can’t take it any longer and it has become over-bearing to you? Regardless of what it is, please pray. And consider retreating, regrouping and reinforcing with godly intervention. May God strength all our relationships with one another and cause us to draw close to Him. Amen.
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