I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
Romans 1:11-12 NIV
Mutually Encouraged
In February, the Canadian Mental Health Association encouraged Canadians to push for better mental health by participating in fitness-based mental health initiative, The Push-Up Challenge. The February event had participants taking on 2,000 push-ups to represent the 20% of Canadians who will suffer from mental illness in any given year. The event began on February 1st and ran for 23 days. Canadians from all ages and walks of life participated in the event which engaged people in mental health through connection, physical activity, and education.
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I hope you have a friend that you can call on when you need someone with a listening ear. I remember when we were going through a particularly challenging time, needing a friend to talk with and pray with. We drove five hours to be with great friends, and while it would take the Lord a couple of years to answer our prayers, we returned home after a few days, refreshed and ready to deal with the challenge. The men and women in the Bible had people in their lives that brought them comfort and hope in the midst of their challenging times. Paul wrote this in Romans 1:11-12: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” It isn’t easy in this day to stand strong in Christ. Our world is far from him in many ways, and far from the principles that drive the Kingdom of God. Walk together with other believers – and be mutually encouraged in your walk with Jesus.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley