Have You Refreshed Someone?
As I was reading through Philemon (only one small chapter for the whole book!), one word caught my attention in verse 7. “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.”
The word “refresh” means to restore strength and animation, to restore or maintain by renewing supplies. Paul told Philemon that he had refreshed the hearts of the saints by his love. We aren’t told what Philemon’s love had prompted him to do. Maybe he had a ministry of helping people. Maybe he had a special way of cheering people up. Perhaps he was just a joyful person.
There are some people who are a joy to be around. They are positive and upbeat, love the Lord, do not think negatively about things or people, they have fun and enjoy life and laugh a lot. When I am around someone like that I come away feeling refreshed. I want to spend more time with them. Then there are people who are like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh, who are always negative, look on the black side of everything. For them the sky is always falling in.
I think Solomon in his later years was in need of some refreshing. His favorite word throughout the book of Ecclesiastes is “Meaningless.” “Everything is meaningless.” (Ecc. 12:8) But he did end the book with some good advice. ‘Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man.” (Verse 13) If we fear God and keep his commandments we will be able to keep a positive outlook on life. That doesn’t mean we are blind to the problems that are in the world or immune from experiencing difficult times ourselves. It means that we have learned to trust God, to keep our eyes on Jesus and realize that He is greater than our problems.
Proverbs 11:25 says “he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Psychologists advise people who are experiencing problems and depression to find ways to reach out and help other people who are in difficult circumstances. Ministering to others gets our mind off ourselves. Often times we will see that our situation isn’t so bad after all.
Wouldn’t it be a great thing for someone to tell you your love has given them great joy and encouragement? Go out today and bless someone.
Tomorrows Bible Reading - Numbers 3, Psalm 37, Song of Solomon 1, Hebrews 1
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
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