在美國印第安納州，有一位老師讓學生們寫一些勵志的話在紙條上，然後送給其他同學。幾天後，在城市另一端的一所學校發生了校園悲劇。同學們聽到消息都感到恐慌和悲慟，擔心自己也會遭遇不幸，而這些寫了勵志話語的紙條，正好帶給他們安慰和鼓勵。

在保羅寫給帖撒羅尼迦教會的書信中，帶著他對眾信徒的鼓勵和關心。他們當中有些信主的朋友離世了，保羅教導他們對上帝的應許要心存盼望，因為耶穌再來的時候，那些已故的信徒也會復活（帖撒羅尼迦前書4章14節）。雖然他們不知道耶穌何時會再來，但保羅提醒他們，耶穌再臨的時候，基督徒不必驚恐地等候審判（5章9節）；相反地，基督徒能有把握地期盼未來與主同住的生活，而且在等候時可以「彼此鼓勵、互相造就」（11節，當代譯本修訂版）。

在經歷親友離世或突遭變故的時候，人們常會陷入恐懼和悲傷之中。但保羅的教導不僅能鼓勵當時的信徒，至今也能使你我心得安慰。讓我們帶著盼望，有把握地期待基督更新一切，與此同時，我們可以藉由手所寫的、口所說的、服事的行動，或簡單的擁抱來彼此鼓勵。

An Indiana schoolteacher suggested that her students write notes of encouragement and inspiration for their peers. Days later, when a school tragedy occurred in a different part of the country, their notes buoyed the spirits of their fellow students as they dealt with the resulting fear and pain that something could happen to them too.

Encouragement and mutual concern were also on Paul’s mind when he wrote to the believers at Thessalonica. They had lost friends, and Paul instructed them to hope in Jesus’ promised return to bring their loved ones to life again (1 Thessalonians 4:14). While they didn’t know when that would occur, he reminded them that as believers they needn’t wait in fear of God’s judgment when He returned (5:9). Instead, they could wait with confidence in their future life with Him and meanwhile “encourage one another and build each other up” (v. 11).

When we experience painful losses or senseless tragedies, it’s easy to be overcome with fear and sadness. Yet Paul’s words are helpful to us today, just as when they were written. Let’s wait in hopeful expectation that Christ will restore all things. And meanwhile, we can encourage each other—with written notes, spoken words, acts of service, or a simple hug.