“Brethren, for this reason, in [spite of all] our stress and crushing difficulties we have been filled with comfort and cheer about you [because of] your faith (the leaning of your whole personality on God in complete trust and confidence).”1 Thes 3:7 (AMP)
I love how the amplified version translates this verse. The truth is we will always have times when we're under stress; many difficulties can arise from family issues to financial strains.
We get especially stressed about our children. Their normal world now includes high tech expensive gadgets that open them to an online platform that can cause all sorts of problems.
However, what blesses me today is that despite the fact that I have recently had periods of stress through poor choices at a financial level, and although I have a family who enjoy online activities with these 'gadgets', I get excited about the fact that I am right now filled with comfort and cheer, because of my faith in God.
The leaning of my whole personality on God who loves me so much can’t help but put a smile on my face. This is the source of the joy that rises in me.
As a result my family get to see me functioning as a good father or husband! Why? I have internal comfort and cheer because of my eternal perspective and they get to see me externally, emotionally Happy!!
Isn't it lovely to know that despite the stresses and difficulties life throws at you, this verse reminds us of a better way to process our thoughts to enable us to be comforted and full of cheer!