Caring Letters


Decades ago, Dr. Jerry Motto discovered the power of a 'carer letter'. His research found that simply sending a letter expressing care to discharged patients, who had previously attempted suicide, reduced the rate of recurrence by half. Recently, health care providers have rediscovered this power when sending 'caring' texts, postcards and even social media memes as follow-up treatment for the severely depressed.

Twenty-one books in the Bible are, actually, letters – epistles – caringly written to the first-century believers who struggled for a variety of reasons. Paul, Peter, James and John wrote letters to explain the basics of faith and worship. Also, how to resolve conflict and build unity.

The apostle, Peter, however, specifically wrote to believers who were being persecuted by the Roman emperor, Nero. Peter reminded them of their intrinsic value to God, describing them in this way in 1 Peter 2:9: "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession.: "trust that you may declare the priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession." This lifted their gaze to God's great purpose for them in their world: "that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

Our great God Himself wrote a book, to us, filled with caring letters – inspired Scripture – that we might always have a record of the value He assigns us as His own. May we read His letters, daily, and share them with others who need the hope offered by Jesus.

The times of crisis in which we live, more than ever, demand the need for unprecedented caring. The power of our prayers should never be underestimated as they offer an unmeasurable level of support.  

 

Loving God, we thank you for the caring letters in The Bible.

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