Articles
Refreshing!
There are several things in life that come to mind when I think of the word refreshing.
Summer always makes me think of jumping into a swimming pool that is just the right
temperature and how refreshing that can be. We often see the word in advertisements for
different drinks and fruit. There are things in this life that refresh us and just seem to make us
feel better, like a good vacation. We come back relaxed, recharged, and ready to get back to
work. Hopefully, there are people in your life that are like that, too. People that seem to lift your
spirits and help you feel better just by being around them.
Paul describes a person like this in the book of Philemon. A man who was helping to lift
the spirits of the people in the church at Colossae. “I always thank my God as I remember you in
my prayers, because I hear about your love for all His holy people and your faith in the Lord
Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your
understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great
joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people”
(Philemon 1:4-7).
There is another group of people recognized by Paul in 1 Corinthians. This group of
people helped lift his spirit and those in the church in Corinth. “I was glad when Stephanas,
Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For
they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition” (1 Corinthians 16:17-
18).
When we have the joy and peace that God instructs us to have as His children, we will be
a blessing to those around us. Are we being the kind of people who lift others up? Are we an
encouragement to those around us? Do people feel refreshed after spending time talking to us?
~ Brad Tolbert
