Dear Friends, I don’t know where you are right now—whether life is going well or if you’re carrying burdens that feel too heavy. Maybe you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or just trying to get through the day. Maybe you’re facing challenges at home, at work, or within yourself that make it hard to keep going.
Wherever you are, I want to remind you of something powerful from 1 Timothy 5: Faith is not just what we believe—it’s how we live, even in the hard moments. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, a young leader trying to navigate the challenges of life, faith, and responsibility. He reminds Timothy (and us) that our faith should show up in how we treat others—with honor, respect, and integrity (1 Timothy 5:1-2). It’s easy to let stress, disappointment, or past hurts shape how we interact with people, but God calls us to something higher.
Even in struggles, we are meant to reflect Christ’s love. When Responsibility Feels Heavy Paul also challenges us with a hard truth: “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8). This isn’t just about finances—it’s about responsibility.
When life gets tough, it’s tempting to withdraw, to stop showing up for people, to let the weight of our struggles pull us away from what matters. But faith means taking responsibility for what God has placed in our hands.
Maybe for you, this means:
- A single mom or dad working long hours, feeling exhausted but showing up for their kids, making sure they have what they need.
- A student balancing school, family, and work, trying to stay committed even when it feels overwhelming.
- An adult child caring for an aging parent, navigating medical appointments and hard decisions while still managing their own life.
It’s not easy. But God sees your effort. Even when it feels like no one notices, He does. Faith in action means staying engaged, even when it’s hard. When Leadership Feels Unfair Another key theme in this passage is honoring leadership: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).
But what about when leadership doesn’t feel honorable? What if your boss is harsh and seems determined to make others unhappy? If you’re in a situation where you feel undervalued or mistreated by someone in authority, Paul’s teaching still applies—but in a different way. Respecting authority doesn’t mean accepting mistreatment. It means maintaining integrity and responding in a way that honors God, not just our emotions.
Maybe for you, this means:
- A dedicated employee who works hard but never seems to get recognition. Instead, your boss seems to go out of their way to criticize.
- A church volunteer who serves faithfully, but faces discouragement from leadership decisions they don’t understand.
- A team member dealing with a manager who plays favorites, leaving you feeling overlooked and unappreciated.
In these moments, we don’t have to let someone else’s bitterness dictate our own spirit. Instead of reacting with resentment, we can respond with patience, professionalism, and wisdom. That might mean setting healthy boundaries, seeking wise counsel, or even finding a healthier environment if possible. But we can choose to honor God in how we respond, no matter how others act. When No One Sees Your Effort Paul ends with a reminder that our choices matter: “The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24-25).
This means that even when no one sees your effort, God does.
- The times you choose to do what’s right instead of what’s easy.
- The times you refuse to respond to negativity with negativity.
- The times you show up for your family, job, or community when you feel like giving up.
Maybe for you, this looks like:
- A teacher who pours their heart into students, even when the job feels thankless.
- A caregiver who gives their time to an elderly parent or a sick loved one, knowing they may never get a “thank you.”
- A spouse who keeps praying and loving their partner, even when the relationship feels difficult.
God sees. Nothing done in faith is wasted. So What Now? If you feel weary, stuck, or discouraged, hold on to these truths:
- Honor others, even when it’s hard. Your kindness and respect reflect the heart of Christ.
- Take responsibility, even when you feel overwhelmed. Faith is showing up, even in struggle.
- Live with integrity, even when no one is watching. God sees, and nothing done in faith is wasted.
- Don’t let someone else’s negativity change your spirit. You can choose grace even in the face of difficulty.
I don’t know what you’re facing, but I do know this: God has not forgotten you. Your efforts, your struggles, your faith—it all matters. Keep going. Keep trusting. Keep living out your faith, one step at a time. If you’re looking for encouragement, community, or a place to grow in faith, I invite you to join us at Douglass Hills Church of Christ.
We would love to welcome you.
Service Times:
- Sunday Worship – 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
- Sunday Bible Study – 10:10 AM
- Wednesday Bible Study – 7:00 PM Location:
Douglass Hills Church of Christ
300 Burnsdale Road Louisville, Kentucky 40243
(502) 245-0573
No matter where you are in life, you don’t have to walk this journey alone. You are always welcome here.
With love and encouragement,
John Schmidt