Refresh Our Hearts (Philemon 1:20)

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
Philemon 1:20

As believers, we seek to encourage one another in our walk through this life as we seek to become more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. When we prayer for one another, we may ask God to intervene in someone’s life. Through the Holy Spirit, we may even gain insight into how God is working in that person’s life. But we must always keep in mind that regardless of whatever changes we see in their lives, we are not truly seeing the entire and true picture that God sees. In fact, we may become impatient with the one for whom we are praying, feeling that God is “not working” in that person’s life or even arrogantly assuming that person is not truly repentant and stiff necked to God’s leading. Only God knows the true state of our heart. And lest we be quick to judge another, remember the mercy and grace that God has shown you. God’s patience infinitely surpasses our own and it is a sobering thought to realize how many times we have failed Him and how He remains faithful to us. We should have a similar mindset as we pray for fellow believers. The Holy Spirit reminds us:

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.
Proverbs 19:11

Examine the attitude of your heart to those whom God has called you to pray and encourage. God calls us to refresh one another’s heart in the Lord, not to be critical and impatient. Pray for your fellow believers, your brothers and sisters in Christ. And when you do see them, have joy for their lives. God is definitely working in every believer’s heart, whether we think we can see the changes or not. Allow God to refresh your heart through fellowship knowing that this is how God builds the body of His Church.

Love and respect the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Aloha!