The Reality of Suffering

1 Thessalonians 3:1-5    
1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Paul and company wanted to know how the Thessalonians were maturing as Christ followers, so they sent Timothy to encourage them, but also to solidify their faith by word and example.  They wanted them to understand that suffering for the gospel was to be expected, that it was God’s intent for all who followed in Christ’s steps to share in His sufferings also.  This should not shake their faith, but rather should bolster it as proof of their calling and faithfulness to their Lord.  Paul reminds them that they already told them these things before, and they saw what was happening to him, so there should be no surprise, but joy.  Even so, Timothy was sent to see how the truth remained in their souls and how they resisted the lies to drive doubt between them and their Savior, and to remind them of the reality of suffering in the truth.