Christians in the Midst of Crisis<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pastor Don Carpenter \/ General<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mission; Mercy and Compassion; Comfort \/ 1 Thessalonians 5:14<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As calls to crisis hotlines spike amid the coronavirus, those who respond feel the strain<\/p>\n\n\n\n Suzanne Hirt<\/p>\n\n\n\n USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n\n\n\n June 15, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thousands of anxious, stressed, isolated and uncertain callers are flooding helplines nationwide. They are teenagers and senior citizens. They have lost jobs, homes and relatives. Some express suicidal thoughts or fears that their positive COVID-19 test is a death sentence. Others reach out in the throes of a panic attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur phones are ringing off the hook,\u201d said Honberg. \u201cWe stay busy. You hang up and it rings again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dramatic increase is straining the licensed social workers and volunteers who strive to support callers\u2019 mental and emotional health even as the pandemic takes a toll on their own lives and families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an April survey of crisis providers nationwide, nearly half of the 93 call centers that responded reported an increase in call volume, and almost as many said their workforce was overwhelmed. Many cited burnout, fatigue and mental or physical health concerns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Alliance, known as NAMI, reported a 65% jump in HelpLine calls, callbacks and emails for the period of March 1 to April 30 from last year\u2019s numbers in the same time span. Callers in the past typically wanted information or resources for a loved one, but now, four times as many people are reaching out about their own needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Disaster Distress Helpline, a sub-network of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that offers emotional support to people in need after natural and human-caused disasters, saw an 890% spike in call volume in April compared with April 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Crisis Text Line, which provides round-the-clock support via text messages with a trained crisis counselor, had 9,854 counselors active during a 28-day period ending May 29 \u2013 more than double the number that were active in the 28 days before the pandemic, CEO Nancy Lublin said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s stressful to think that there are people calling us and we can\u2019t take their call immediately because we\u2019re already on the phone with somebody,\u201d said Rose Andre, a staff member at the Colorado Crisis Hotline, which also answers National Suicide Prevention Lifeline calls that originate from a Colorado area code. \u201cWe\u2019re all feeling that chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n COVID is not the only stress we are facing, our nation is plagued with racial tensions, police abuse of power, hatred for the military, disdain for law and order, a mistrust of the electoral system, and a general feeling of anxiety and hopelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beside all this people are carrying personal issues, like health threats, relationship problems, financial pressures, and other things. Everywhere you go people are hurting. I think based upon the article we just shared, the nation is in crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right in this room there are folks who are hanging on to sanity by a thread. Now more than ever we Christians need to serve as selfless Crisis workers. We must give warning, comfort, support, and patience to folks all around us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Thessalonian believers gave them a similar exhortation. When everything seems to be falling apart, we need to get our eyes off of ourselves and look on the needs of others. We need to be ready with a word that will comfort and rescue the person next to us. We need to be ready willing, and prepared to be used as Christians in Crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Warn The Unruly<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Thessalonians 5:14<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tWarn those who are idle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this context, warn implies a strong admonition not to behave in a particular way. A satisfactory translation may be simply \u201ctell those who are idle that they must not be so,\u201d \u201ctell those lazy people that this is not right,\u201d or \u201cspeak strongly to the lazy persons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ellingworth, P., & Nida, E. A. (1976). A handbook on Paul\u2019s letters to the Thessalonians (p. 119). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tWarn the disorderly<\/p>\n\n\n\n Admonish the disorderly (?????????? ???? ???????? [noutheteite tous ataktous]). Put sense into the unruly mob who break ranks (? [a] privative and ?????? [taktos], verbal adjective of ????? [tass?], to keep military order). Recall the idlers from the market-place used against Paul (Acts 17:5<\/a>). This is a challenging task for any leader<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (1 Th 5:14<\/a>). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022\tWarn the unruly<\/p>\n\n\n\n Them that are unruly (???? ????????). N. T.o. The A. V. is more vigorous and less stilted than Rev. disorderly. From ? not and ??????? draw up or arrange. Those who are out of line. Comp. the adverb ??????? disorderly, 2 Th. 3:6<\/a>, 11<\/a>. Probably referring to the idlers and busybodies described there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 4, pp. 48\u201349). New York: Charles Scribner\u2019s Sons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2 Thessalonians 3:11<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A group of 49 students and staff from Royd\u2019s Comprehensive Middle School in England went on a week-long outdoor trip. One morning, a teacher took a small group on a river walk. She had never seen the water higher, so she led the kids through the dangerous river, instead of walking behind as usual. One of the boys slipped while trying to cross the swollen river, and needed help to get out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Later that day another group and another teacher go on the same walk. This time, Rochelle and Hannah, two 13 year old girls, are swept away to their deaths in the flooded stream. One of the girls laughed as she slipped in the water. She thought she looked silly–her friends laughed with her. She had no idea of the danger she was really in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ms. Nicholson was asked why she had not warned the later groups. Her answer: She didn\u2019t think anyone would answer the phone at the youth hostel where they were staying. She didn\u2019t think anyone would listen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SOURCE: SermonCentral staff. Citation: Stokes, Paul. River Fear Not Passed on by Walk Teacher. UK Telegraph, Feb 21,2002. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Comfort the Feebleminded<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Thessalonians 5:14<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Vine\u2019s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Fainthearted<\/p>\n\n\n\n oligopsuchos (??????????, 3642), lit., \u201csmall-souled\u201d (oligos, \u201csmall,\u201d psuche, \u201cthe soul\u201d), denotes \u201cdespondent\u201d; then, \u201cfainthearted<\/p>\n\n\n\n the timid (oligopsychous, lit., \u201cshort of soul\u201d) need encouragement. These fainthearted people tend to become discouraged and despondent more easily than most. They need cheering up, stimulation to press on, and extra help to live the Christian life. (Interestingly the verbs in these two commands [parakaloumen and paramytheisthe] are in the same order as the first two participles in 2:12.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 708). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A literal translation of encourage the timid could result in precisely the wrong meaning, namely, \u201cencourage the timid to be more timid.\u201d A more satisfactory equivalent may be found in a rendering such as \u201cgive courage to those who are fearful,\u201d \u201ctake away the fear from those who are afraid,\u201d or \u201cgive confidence to those who are afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ellingworth, P., & Nida, E. A. (1976). A handbook on Paul\u2019s letters to the Thessalonians (p. 119). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A little girl lost a playmate in death and one day reported to her family that she had gone to comfort the sorrowing mother. \u201cWhat did you say?\u201d asked her parents. \u201cNothing,\u201d she replied. \u201cI just climbed up on her lap and cried with her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Support The Weak<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Thessalonians 5:14<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Word Studies in the New Testament Chapter 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n Support (?????????). Comp. Matt. 6:24<\/a>; Tit. 1:9<\/a>. ???? against and ??????? to hold one\u2019s self. The primary sense is, keeping one\u2019s self directly opposite to another so as to sustain him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWeakness,\u201d it should be noted, has very often been held in disdain by others, who think of themselves as the \u201cstrong\u201d; however, Paul has here captured one of the marks of truly Christian faith, as it has been exhibited in full by our Lord himself in his earthly life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fee, G. D. (2009). The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 210\u2013211). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In any case, it is clear that Paul\u2019s use of the word weak, here as in Romans 14:1\u20132<\/a>, does not imply any condemnation. Like the timid, the weak are people who need help, no doubt because they are immature or inexperienced. Since it is impossible to know precisely the meaning of weak in this context, it may be best to use a descriptive phrase which will fit with the meaning of \u201chelp,\u201d for example, \u201chelp those who need help,\u201d or \u201chelp those who are lacking in some way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ellingworth, P., & Nida, E. A. (1976). A handbook on Paul\u2019s letters to the Thessalonians (p. 119). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Joe Bayly family, in the course of several years, lost three of their children. In his book View from A Hearse, (Elgin, Ill.: Cook, 1973) Joe Bayly shared his honest feelings when one of his children died:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \t\u201cI was sitting there torn by grief. Someone came and talked of God\u2019s dealings, of why it happened, of hope beyond the grave. He talked constantly. He said things I knew were true. I was unmoved, except to wish he\u2019d go away. He finally did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \t\u201cAnother came and sat beside me. He didn\u2019t talk. He didn\u2019t ask me leading questions. He just sat beside me for an hour and more, listened when I said something, answered briefly, prayed simply, and left. I was moved. I was comforted. I hated to see him go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be Patient With Everyone.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Thessalonians 5:14<\/a> KJV<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be patient with everyone may be expressed idiomatically, for example, \u201cspeak softly to everyone,\u201d \u201cmove slowly with everyone,\u201d or negatively, \u201cdo not speak sharply to anyone,\u201d or \u201cdo not shout at anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ellingworth, P., & Nida, E. A. (1976). A handbook on Paul\u2019s letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 119\u2013120). New York: United Bible Societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is, in human relationships more is needed than simply \u201cbeing patient\u201d with others, and Paul\u2019s word here implies that \u201csomething more,\u201d namely that they are to be \u201cforbearing\u201d toward, and thus \u201csuffering long\u201d with regard to, others in the believing community. Furthermore, this distinction between the two words regularly rendered as \u201cpatient\/patience\u201d in English is consistent in Paul\u2019s own usage. \u201cPatience\u201d (hypomon?) is needed in trying situations; \u201cforbearance [long suffering]\u201d is what is required in interpersonal relationships\u2014\u201cwith everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fee, G. D. (2009). The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 211\u2013212). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.<\/p>\n\n\n\n F.B. Meyer once said that when we see a brother or sister in sin, there are three things we do not know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thirdly, we also do not know what we would have done in the same circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conviction and compassion – it\u2019s not a binary concept of one or the other. It is both strength of conviction and depth of compassion that will enable us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world that God has called us to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n _____________<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are needed! Unruly folks need to hear your warnings. Feebleminded, timid, small -souled, despondent people need your comfort. Weak, immature, vulnerable people need to lean on you as you support them. Everyone needs you to be long tempered giving grace to folks who need it most. This is to be the behavior of Christians in the Midst of Crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exported from Logos Bible Software, 1:25 PM September 17, 2020.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Christians in the Midst of Crisis Pastor Don Carpenter \/ General Mission; Mercy and Compassion; Comfort \/ 1 Thessalonians 5:14 As calls to crisis hotlines spike amid the coronavirus, those who respond feel the strain Suzanne Hirt USA TODAY NETWORK June 15, 2020 Thousands of anxious, stressed, isolated and uncertain callers are flooding helplines nationwide. … Continue reading Christians in the Midst of Crisis<\/span>