“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:5-7)
Saint Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome to Timothy his good friend and co-worker. Paul wrote to encourage him to be joyful in the face of troubles and trials. He did not want his friend to become sad or depressed by suffering, especially the suffering Paul himself was undergoing as well as his inevitable martyrdom. Paul reminded Timothy to hold fast to his faith which was given him by Jesus. He reminded him that his faith was nurtured by the devotion and love of his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois. These ladies had made sure Timothy was baptized and brought up in the Fellowship of the Church where he was taught the Word of God. The devotion of Lois and Eunice bore great fruit because Timothy became a pastor and church leader. And we have them to thank for the two epistles Paul wrote to Timothy which have nurtured the faith of millions of Christians over the past 2000 years.
As we look at the events of our own day, we modern saints might tend to become discouraged. We see the triumph of the wicked on every hand. We endure our own suffering from illness, financial hardship, and persecution. Those whose faith is insincere, who came think that Christianity is supposed to be easy or financially and socially rewarding are under the impression that suffering is not part of the victorious Christian life. These will fall away from the truth into unbelief and immorality or adopt the lies of the gospel of health and wealth. Those whose faith is firmly rooted in the Lord will be upheld in the truth by the Lord. The Holy Spirit will enable them to see that suffering and loss of material possessions are not things to be ashamed of but are the means the Lord uses to help His kingdom grow. Our sufferings imitate those of Jesus and so give glory to God. Our faith tells us that, indeed, all things work together for good for those who love God. Our suffering, though not easy, has a purpose: to enhance God’s kingdom. And so our faith in God’s promises helps us endure.