In psychology there is a response to suffering and danger: The fight or flight response is an automatic physiological reaction to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening. The perception of threat activates the sympathetic nervous system and triggers an acute stress response that prepares the body to fight or flee. When we are targeted by wicked people because of our faith, it is a natural inclination to want to give up our faith. When our faith is under trial and pressure leads to the temptation to no longer walk by faith in God. The we turn to self-preservation and self-pity rather than holding to hope in God for our deliverance. This is what we see Paul encouraging these Christians in Thessalonica about in the opening of this second letter, Thanksgiving For Faith (1:3-4), Evidence of God’s Righteous Judgment (1:5), God will repay and relieve (1:6-7), Judgment Pronounced (1:8-10), and God’s Purpose (1:11-12).
We have everything we need to be kingdom ready. . .