Serve Good ∙∙

Serve Good ∙∙

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. – 1 Thessalonians 5:14

1 Thessalonians 5:14-18

We urge you, brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

Rejoice always. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

The Impact of Hurricane Matthew: A Call to Serve

On October 7th and 8th, 2016, Hurricane Matthew, a Category 5 storm, swept through North Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. It was the most formidable storm of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The Aftermath in South Carolina

In South Carolina, the storm caused power outages for at least 600,000 individuals. Hilton Head Island faced prolonged disruptions in water, sewer, and power services, with access to the island restricted until October 11th. The storm’s impact was severe, toppling over 120,000 trees and causing extensive damage to properties and businesses. In its aftermath, more than 2.1 million cubic yards of vegetative debris were collected.

Residents returning to their homes were met with scenes of devastation, resembling a war zone. Amid this chaos, Samaritan’s Purse workers arrived to provide critical assistance. They worked tirelessly to cut and remove fallen trees, offer aid to those in need, and provide spiritual support. Visiting homes, they cared for the afflicted and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, bringing hope and comfort to those affected before departing.

They Served Good!

A Biblical Call to Serve

The efforts of Samaritan’s Purse reflect the biblical principle of serving others. Romans 14:7: “For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.” As children of the King, we share a responsibility to care for those in need, addressing their individual circumstances with compassion and patience.

The Apostle Paul offers specific guidance on how to serve others effectively in 1 Thessalonians 5:14: “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.”

Admonish the Idle

The Greek word for “idle” is ataktos, which initially described “a soldier who had abandoned their post.” It later gained the meaning of “unruly, careless, or undisciplined.” This term “describes those who diverge from godly principles and display rebellious irresponsibility or deliberate sluggishness.” It came to encompass “defiant, willful negligence and indifference.”

Encourage the Fainthearted

The Greek word for “fainthearted” is oligopsychos. It literally means “small-souled” or “little-souled.” It is derived from two Greek words: oligos, meaning “small” or “little,” and psyche, meaning “soul” or “mind.”

Oligopsychos describes someone who “feels diminished, small, or weak.” It conveys a “sense of being fainthearted, timid, or easily discouraged.” They tend to be “despondent and prone to worry, overwhelmed by fear or anxiety.” They imagine the “worst-case scenarios and simply want to give up when challenges arise.” They are “hesitant to take risks and avoid stepping out of their comfort zone, fearing failure or rejection.”

This often affects the King’s children during a season of suffering or uncertainty. They feel shame and doubt because of their spiritual weakness, believing they have little faith and are inadequate. They can barely imagine enduring the present circumstances, let alone overcoming them.

What can be done?

The fainthearted need loving yet firm guidance to help them return to a disciplined, active, purposeful, and meaningful life. The apostle Paul encourages those with strong, courageous spirits to uplift and support them. As one translation puts it, “Give courage to those who have little of it.”

Help the Weak

The Greek word for “weak” is asthenes, referring to “those without strength.” This can include individuals who are physically ill or spiritually feeble, lacking faith and vitality. These individuals need support, warmth, and care to help them regain their strength and confidence.

The Greek word asthenes literally means “without strength” or “lacking power.” It “conveys the idea of “weakness, frailty, or inability, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.” It comes from two root words: ameaning “without” or “lacking” and sthenos – meaning “strength” or “power.” It refers to those who are “physically weak or sick, emotionally or spiritually feeble, lacking resilience or faith, or ineffective or powerless.”

Spiritual weakness manifests in those who struggle with doubt or lack the faith to trust God fully during trials. Emotional frailty is seen in those overwhelmed by grief or anxiety, unable to cope with their emotions.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul instructs those children of the King who are able to “help the weak” (asthenes).

Interestingly, asthenes is used in Romans 5:6, Paul writes, “When we were utterly helpless,” (asthenes) Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners,” emphasizing humanity’s spiritual weakness and need for salvation.

REFLECT & PRAY

When serving others, cultivating patience is essential. It’s important to recognize and meet their individual needs, since people exhibit their challenges and shortcomings in different ways. Therefore, responses should be customized, specific, and compassionate. Some individuals may need clear guidance, while others might look for reassurance or counseling. At the same time, others may require material or practical assistance.

Galatians 6:9: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Father, I thank You for Your loving care and compassion. You always know what is going on inside of me. You offer me what I need at the right time. Teach me to care for others in the same way, meeting their needs with patience, wisdom, and love. Help me to be Your hands and feet in this world.

INSIGHT

Personal Challenges as Motivation to Serve

The Father uniquely designs personal challenges for each of His children. These challenges are not arbitrary; they motivate us to come alongside one another in support and love. The apostle Paul explains in Ephesians 4:15: “We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” Each child of the King is on a personal journey of growth, cultivating strength, stability, and maturity at their own pace. Those skilled in specific areas are encouraged to help their brothers and sisters who may be struggling, fostering a shared responsibility to uplift one another within the body of Christ.

The Art of Patience

Patience is both a learned and practiced trait. The Greek term makrothumeo, translated as “be patient,” combines makros, meaning “long,” and thumos, meaning “anger.” This term paints the picture of a “slow-burning fuse,” the opposite of being “short-tempered.” It conveys the idea of “suffering long” in the context of human relationships.

Patience, as described by Paul, is not about enduring circumstances but about maintaining calm and understanding in relationships. Intense, close human interactions often provoke heated responses, but the children of the King are called to exercise forbearance and understanding.

1 Thessalonians 5:14: is quite clear, “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.”

Practical Expressions of Patience

The phrase “be patient with everyone” can be articulated in several ways, such as “speak softly to everyone,” “communicate gently with all,” “approach situations thoughtfully,” or “avoid speaking harshly to anyone.” This form of patience is not passive. Instead, it is active and intentional. It requires individuals to maintain their composure and tranquility, even during difficult interactions. It serves as an invitation to embrace a higher standard of living, one that reflects the Father’s enduring patience toward us.

The Father’s Example of Patience

The Father surprisingly envelops us in His comforting patience, inviting us into a deeply personal and close relationship. His patience is meant to be shared, paid forward. Simply put, just as He is wonderfully slow to anger and immensely patient with us, His children, we are to extend the same patience to our brothers and sisters in God’s Forever Family

Luke 18:27: “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Developing patients in our own strength may seem impossible, but through the Father’s power, it becomes possible.

The Journey of Becoming “Long-Tempered”

Developing the trait of being “long-tempered” is a gradual, deliberate journey that requires consistent effort. It is not an immediate transformation but a steady process of growth. For children of the King, supernatural patience is always within reach. By seeking strength and guidance from the Father, we can cultivate patience and love in our relationships, embodying the character of Christ.

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© Dr. H 2026