Words Have Power: DeLand Community Finds Hope

Deland residents often find encouragement in unexpected places, a sentiment echoed in a recent reflection from Kristina Carter of the Global Partners Communication Team. Carter highlighted the profound impact simple words of grace and peace can have, especially during difficult times.

Carter shared an anecdote involving a friend named Lucia, who received an unexpected package on a particularly challenging day. Lucia, a former neighbor and friend from Carter's time as a missionary in Eastern Europe, found significant comfort in the gesture. Carter noted, "Even on one of her hardest days, he showed her how much he cared for her and loved her!" The package arrived precisely when Lucia needed encouragement, demonstrating how God can use everyday actions to uplift individuals.

The reflection draws a parallel to the Apostle Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, specifically 2 Thessalonians 1:1-2. Paul, aware of the suffering and persecution the Thessalonian church faced, began his letter by invoking God's grace and peace. This opening served as a foundational blessing, setting an encouraging tone before addressing the community's struggles.

Carter emphasized that just as Paul's words provided strength to the early church, individuals today possess the ability to offer similar encouragement. "Our words have the power to remind each other of God’s goodness," Carter stated. She urged people to speak words of grace and peace into the lives of others, whether they are nearby or far away, reinforcing the idea that such expressions can significantly impact someone's well-being.

Kristina Carter uses her passion for writing on the Global Partners Communication Team to equip people in the mission to share the gospel with the unreached. This devotional was reprinted from Light from the Word by Wesleyan Publishing House.