When someone you love is hurt, confused, and uncertain about tomorrow, what do they need the most?

Not pity, not a lecture, not even good advice. What the afflicted person needs is affirmation. Today on Insight for Living, Chuck

Swindall continues his study in the book of Second Thessalonians, showing us how the Apostle

Paul responded to a frightened congregation. He didn't criticize or mock the church. He offered

Thanksgiving and genuine pride. Chuck titled this message, Affirming the Afflicted.

It's the first message in an eight-part study called Steadfast Christianity.

Turn back to chapter 3 of Second Thessalonians. Look at verse 17.

I, Paul, write this greeting with mine own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter. This is the way I write. Did you know that that was in the

Bible? I didn't. And I've read this a number of times and I never stumbled across this is the

way I write. You know, everyone has his or her own distinguishing handwriting.

And if that person writes you enough, you don't even have to look and see who wrote the letter.

Because you know the handwriting.

Paul says, I have a distinguishing handwriting. I have a distinguishing style.

And if you ever want to check if this letter is mine, check it with this letter,

check it with this signature. This is the way I write. Before we find out why that was so

important, you might ask yourself, well, what's the big deal about these 47 verses? Are they

really that important? Look up from verse 17 to verse 14.

I think after I read this verse, you'll say, yeah, it's pretty important.

If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that man

and do not associate with him so that he may be put to shame.

Yeah, I'd say that's pretty important letter.

This is one of those rare letters, and he doesn't have many of them,

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