We all want something solid to stand on. Something that won’t shift when life shakes. Most of us know the feeling of watching the ground give way from health scares to job loss, from betrayal to grief. The question underneath all of it is this: Will I be okay when everything around me is not?
That’s the heartbeat of 1 Thessalonians 3. Paul isn’t writing theory. He’s writing with tears in his eyes, worrying about his friends, longing for them to be strong in the middle of the storm. And his answer is simple: God Himself will establish you.
Here are five things I learned from studying 1 Thessalonians 3:
1. God Sends People to Strengthen Us (vv. 1-2)
Paul can’t take the not-knowing anymore, so he sends Timothy. Not because Timothy is a superstar, but because he’s family in Christ and faithful in the gospel.
Timothy’s job is twofold:
- To establish – to set their faith on a firm foundation.
- To exhort – to come alongside and encourage them.
That word “come alongside” matters. Timothy isn’t shouting from a stage. He’s walking shoulder-to-shoulder, reminding them of what’s true. That’s how God works, through people He sends into your life to hold you steady.
Who has God sent to come alongside you when things weren’t going great?
2. Trouble Doesn’t Mean You’re Abandoned (vv. 3-5)
Paul says it bluntly: “You yourselves know that we are destined for this.” This, by the way, is affliction – suffering – yuck of life stuff! Suffering isn’t proof that God has walked away. It’s part of the Christian life.
But suffering is dangerous because it tempts us to believe lies. Lies that say God doesn’t care. Lies that say faith is pointless. Lies that say it’s easier to walk away. Paul fears the enemy will lure them off the foundation. That’s why Timothy’s presence is so crucial.
Bottom line: hardship isn’t the exception. It’s the expectation. But it’s not the end of the story.
3. Faith and Love Breathe Life (vv. 6-8)
Timothy comes back with good news: their faith is alive, their love is real, and they remember Paul kindly.
Paul’s reaction? “For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.”
That’s wild. Paul ties his own sense of life to their perseverance. In other words your faith doesn’t just matter to you. It matters to the people around you. When you stand firm, others breathe easier. When you hold on, others find hope.
Who is your faith giving life to?
4. Faith Still Needs Mending (vv. 9-10)
Paul’s grateful, but he’s also honest: their faith still has gaps. He prays he can see them again and “supply what is lacking.”
Faith is like a fishing net. It needs constant mending. It’s not about shame or failure. It’s about being equipped, repaired, and made whole so it can hold when the pressure comes. None of us are finished products. So never stop learning and growing.
5. God Finishes What He Starts (vv. 11-13)
The chapter ends with Paul’s prayer:
- God directs our steps.
- God makes love overflow.
- God establishes our hearts so we’re blameless when Christ returns.
Notice who does the heavy lifting: God! Paul and Timothy play their part, but God is the one who holds people steady.
That’s the anchor. Your grip may slip, but His won’t.
The Ever Famous So What!
- You’re not alone. God sends people into your life to come alongside you. Don’t brush them off. They’re His gift.
- Suffering doesn’t mean you’re forgotten. It’s part of the story, but not the end.
- Your faith strengthens others. You may not realize it, but when you stand, you give someone else life.
- God’s the one who establishes you. Your hope isn’t in your ability to hang on to God. It’s in His promise to hold you.
The Bottom Line
Storms will come. Lies will scream at you. Faith will feel fragile. But here’s the good news: Christ establishes you. He supplies what you lack. And He will hold you all the way to the end.
So stand firm. And when you can’t, look for the Timothys God has sent to come alongside you.
Source: www.derrickhurst.org