Dear COA Family,

How do you encourage someone who is down?

Often we say words that attempt to bring immediate comfort and assurances, such as “Don’t worry,
this will pass” or “Things will get better” or “Cheer up, the weekend/year-end is coming”.

However, we don’t really know whether what we say will truly come to pass and whether what we
say will truly help. At best, they may only bring temporary relief but cannot solve the root of the
problems.

That is why the Bible gives us specific instructions about what to say to encourage our brothers and
sisters when they are going through difficulties.

Paul writes to the Thessalonian church:
“For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him
those who have fallen asleep… For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command,
with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will
rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to
meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another
with these words” 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.

Ultimately, the greatest truth that brings comfort, peace and strength is the assurance that one
day, we will be not only with the Lord but also ruling and reigning with him. This is the promise and
hope that we can cling on to in the midst of life’s confusions and trials. God has planned out a
glorious future for our lives!

So, today, if you are hanging on to earthly hopes like having job security, stability in relationships or
an uninterrupted or unending smooth-sailing life as your basis for overall well-being and future
happiness, you are on thin ice. They may very well not materialise. And God has not intended for
things to be like this because he intends to lift our gaze from earth to heaven (Colossians 3:2).

However, as we tutor our hearts on where to place our hopes for eternity, we yearn and look
forward to what is good, just and right. Only our future hope with and in Christ will give us true
comfort, strength and peace.

Have a blessed week ahead!

Revd Ian