Peace Among Sisters
Apr 29, 2020By Haley Osborn
Talking runs in my blood. I come from a heritage of chatter. At family gatherings, there is seldom a quiet moment – everyone has important words to speak. While my tendency for talking is beneficial in many social settings, I discovered that words can influence, elevate, sting, and even demolish. Scripture references the power of our tongue, warning of its ability to cause problems and frustration in relationships. As women of God, we are called to listen and respond to people – not out of arrogance, but out of love. In our frenetic pace of life, we are often tempted to speak impatiently, but God desires words to create peace in our relationships. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 describes a beautiful picture of how spirit-filled words create relational peace: encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all.
Encourage the Fainthearted
We all experience discouragement. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 urges us to, “Encourage one another and build each other up.” As members of one body of Christ, we should be sensitive to those who are in distress and offer an encouraging word. When we speak encouragement from scripture over people, we call on the Spirit to minister to broken and dejected hearts. As mentors, we should listen for moments of discouragement, not to fix the problem, but to invite the Spirit to encourage and uplift.
Help the Weak
Without the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are all weak. As sojourners in a broken and fallen world, weakness is not to be viewed as shameful, but as a powerful place to allow Christ and His community to walk alongside us. The Greek understanding of the word help is “to keep oneself directly opposite or to care for.” In this context, responding to someone crying for help means more than assistance, it means acting as a support - a brace that acts in opposition to a setback. “Help” should align itself with the physical, spiritual, or emotional weakness of another person and cleave to them during their lack of strength.
Patience with All
My favorite definition of patience is “to be long-spirited.” Patience, or long-suffering, is a cornerstone of our faith. As we authentically walk alongside others through mentorship and relationship, we will experience frustration. Old Testament Israel often strayed from the presence of God, yet God patiently endured with them. While He admonished and rebuked, the story of the Old Testament is one of a patient God choosing to lovingly endure His people despite the pain He suffered at their hand. When we endure and love with patience in our relationships, we not only experience peace, we are also reminded of God’s enduring patience with us – His beloved children.
Haley serves on Team MORE and is a Colorado native who loves sunshine, adventuring with friends and reading a good book. She is an avid connoisseur of local coffeeshops and taco restaurants. Haley longs to see women experience God's freedom and find purpose in their lives. Writing and prayer have helped Haley navigate the turbulent waters of life, and she longs to partner with women as they seek the Lord in their daily lives.
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