Have you ever heard the expression, “Everyone you meet is fighting a great battle you know nothing about?” 

There’s a lot of truth to this statement. 

For example, the sudden death of Chadwick Boseman, the star of blockbuster films such as Black Panther and 42. Noone had any idea that the 43-year-old actor had been battling colon cancer for several years. He had effectively hidden his diagnosis from the public eye. Even more remarkable is that his coworkers and yes, even his fellow Avengers, had no idea that he was suffering.  

Boseman’s case is a stark reminder that people around us are often facing challenges that we’re simply unaware of.  Granted, it might not be a terminal health issue, but everyone’s dealing with something, for the unseen battles of life come in all shapes and sizes.    

Are you fighting your own private battles right now?

The church in Thessalonica also faced its share of struggles, though they weren’t necessarily unseen. As a baby church trying to take their first steps, they encountered severe persecution (2:14) and were fighting to stay morally pure in a pagan culture (4:1).  

Paul knew exactly what they needed in the midst of their troubles: encouragement.  

Biblically speaking, to encourage someone means to come alongside another person and fill them with comfort and confidence. This, in turn, enables them to stay on course in their Christian walk.   

Paul encourages the believers in Thessalonica with two glorious, theological truths:  

They will live forever with the Lord after they die (4:17)  

They have been saved from His coming wrath (5:9)  

Initially, this might sound like an odd way to encourage someone. But think about it. Paul is instilling comfort and confidence. He assures them of their ultimate victory in and through Jesus Christ.  

Can there be anything more encouraging than fully embracing this victorious reality?

With these truths in mind, Paul wants the Thessalonians to encourage each other (5:11).  

Notice he doesn’t merely suggest the idea of encouragement. He commands it. As a body of believers, it’s imperative that they support each other amidst the battles of everyday life, creating a genuine community of continuous, life-giving encouragement.    

And the same goes for us today. 

Paul’s command to encourage one another should dramatically impact the way we treat those around us.  Imagine how different our homes, offices, churches, and neighborhoods would be if we put Paul’s words into practice on a regular basis.  

In a world where people are constantly tearing each other down, followers of Jesus should build each other up. When so many are worn down by private, personal struggles, Christians are called to bless and strengthen each other with their words. 

“We have no idea how God might use one single word of encouragement to change someone’s life.”

Our encouragement might be exactly what a person needs to hear in order to keep fighting their unseen battle.

Find someone to encourage.

Ray Taylor and his beautiful family on their Costa Rica vacation

MORE TO COME…..

EE Name	Sub Departments Desc	Birthdate
HERNANDEZ, VICENTE	Chevrolet Service Tech	7/1
FLANNAGAN, MARISSA N	Cashier	7/4
PENNEY, BRIAN H	Chevrolet Parts Countermen	7/8
TORRES-RODRIGUEZ, GABE	North Side Detail Tech	7/8
DILLARD, LEVI E	North Service ASM	7/9
THEODORSON, BARB	North Parts Shipping & Receive	7/10
MATOS, MICHAEL J	Chevrolet Van Driver	7/11
MEDINA, TANIA	Facility South	7/13
BUCHANAN,  ANDREW	North Service ASM	7/15
SHORT, STEFANIE N	Internet South Sales	7/15
GIANNOLA, DEE	Body Shop Estimator	7/16
SCHROM, JARRETT R	Chevrolet Service ASM	7/16
CABRERA, BAZIEL	Honda Sales Personnel	7/17
MALDONADO, DAVID	Kia Sales Personnel	7/17
WALKER, SAMANTHA B	Facility North	7/18
SZIEDE, MICHAEL W	DT Drivers	7/18
HALBERT, LYNDSAY R	Finance Admin	7/19
JOHNSON, JORDAN C	Kia Service Tech	7/21
MR. C	Owner	7/21
OSBORNE, VICTORIA A	Cashier	7/22
COKER, JEFF	North Tow Truck Driver	7/24
VARNADORE, BILLY E	North Service Van Driver	7/24
SANDOVAL, ALONDRA	Kia Service ASM	7/24
BOSWELL, CHRIS “BOZ”	South Side Pre Owned Sales	7/25
EXUM, BRANDON T	Acura Sales Personnel	7/26
BENDECK, ISSA T	Chevrolet Sales to Service	7/28
TOWLE, ANDREA K	Kia Service Warranty Clerk	7/29
DMOHOWSKI, HARRY	Chevrolet Parts Parts Driver	7/29
MACDOWELL, MATT	South Side Pre Owned Sales	7/31
ROSA, ANNIE	BDC Receptionists	7/31

Super Report Writer Generated Report

Firstname	Lastname	Position	Hire_Date
JONATHAN	MCGUIRE	SALESMAN-PON	06/07/2021
LISA	BIGELOW	INTERNET N	06/08/2021
SUNSET	FLEMINGS	SALESMAN-CHEVROLET	06/14/2021
OCTAVIOUS	ROBINSON	DETAIL WASH	06/14/2021
MARISSA	FLANNAGAN	CASHIER-PT	06/14/2021
ANTHONY	VIERS	LUBE TECH-FT	06/14/2021
RYAN	MORENO	DETAIL WASH-PT	06/14/2021
CAROLYN	THOMPSON	RECEPTION	06/21/2021
MEGAN	BARNES	ASM-North	06/21/2021
SAID	PUENTES	LUBE TECH-FT	06/21/2021
COLEMAN	WILLIAMS	DETAIL WASH	06/28/2021
JORGE	MIRANDA	TECHNICIAN-NORTH	06/28/2021
LAURA	MENDOZA	CSI LIASON	06/29/2021
RONALD	BUCHANAN	ASM-North	06/29/2021

EE Name	Sub Departments Desc	HireDate	Years of Service
MAYNARD, DOUG	North Side Pre Owned Sales	07/02/2001	20 Years
MAY, STAN	South Finance Closer	07/03/2001	20 Years
BOSWELL, CHRIS	South Side Pre Owned Sales	07/31/2007	14 Years
LAND, CLAYTON	Chevrolet Parts Manager	07/15/2013	8 Years
FIGUEROA, ALEXANDER	Kia Service Tech	07/13/2016	5 Years
BAUMANN, KEITH T	Kia Service Lot Porter	07/17/2017	4 Years
JARVIS, CHRIS D	North Side Detail	07/24/2017	4 Years
RODRIGUEZ, ANGEL D	Chevrolet Other	07/31/2017	4 Years
GIANNOLA, DEE	Body Shop Estimator	07/09/2018	3 Years
HOLMES, KENNy	Chevrolet Service Tech	07/09/2018	3 Years
BERRIDGE, ZAQ	Chevrolet Sales Manager	07/15/2019	2 Years
WRIGHT, BRYCE A	Honda Other	07/15/2019	2 Years
RONE, MD RASHEDUL	North Side Pre Owned Sales	07/22/2019	2 Years
LUCAS, BARRY L	South Finance Closer	07/29/2019	2 Years
HOLLY, KRISTEN A	Facility North	07/13/2020	1 Year
MOSES, DEVIN A	Chevrolet Service Lot Porter	07/13/2020	1 Year
HARRIS, PHIL S	Kia Service Driver	07/17/2020	1 Year
PORTER, CRYSTA K	Internet North Sales	07/27/2020	1 Year
RODRIGUEZ, ROBERTO E	Kia Sales Personnel	07/27/2020	1 Year