In this week’s blog we are looking at the fact that God is working in 
the hard stuff of our life. All of us can relate to the idea of having “hard stuff” to deal with. Sometimes the hard stuff is sandwiched between some pretty good stuff and doesn’t seem so bad. Then other times the hard stuff stands alone and seemingly threatens to pull us under. What are we to do with the hard places of real life?Let’s start by seeing what the Apostle Paul taught the Philippians in his real life “hard stuff”…the prison cell.
Today’s Truth: Philippians 1:12-19
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn our for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
What has happened to me? Do you ever feel like you have been hit with a steam roller? What happened? Well…Life Happens.
Think about what is happening in your life right now, Today, This Week. In this case, what happened to Paul was once again being thrown into jail for praching the gospel. For us, maybe it’s once again getting in a fight with our spouse, friend, or co-worker. Or, once again finding out things about your teenager that you would rather not know. Or, once again not being able to pay your bills.
Paul had something to teach the Philippians and that teaching applies to our lives today. He had a belief system that was strongly rooted in how Big God IS. This belief system enabled him to CELEBRATE in hard times. Why? Because He knew the finish would turn out as part of God’s greater plan. We could learn something from this.
- He is in chains…He can’t control that. ( What are your chains?)
- In the meantime…He trusts the outcome to God ( How are you responding to your chains or hard stuff?)
- Paul rejoices and was teaching others to rejoice in their prison
- Paul took comfort in community as an example to them
- Paul found hope in the help available by the Spirit of Christ
- Paul looked forward to being set free nad delivered, and conformed into Christ’s image …more and more.
How could he trust the outcome to God?
Because he had faith in the plan and purposes of God…and the bigger picture. That is why he could encourage them that God begins a work and finished it!
Philippians 1:6
I am confident that He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus, or He who began a good work in you will continue to develop it…..
God is completing His work, through some of the things we go through. We think it’s horrible when life isn’t the way we want it to play out. But, if we learn to believe in the bigger picture, maybe we too will no longer just endure trials, but maybe…just maybe…we, with Paul, can learn to have joy or rejoice in Life Happening. Maybe we could learn a different response based on a belief system that is deeply rooted in TRUTH.
Let’s read today’s passage in The Message:
“So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed so I just cheer them on. And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course.”
How are you going to respond when things are hard?
- Pout and manipulate your way through it?
- Crawl into a hole of depression?
- Pull the covers over your head and pretend it’s not happening?
- Call the girlfriends on your speed dial?
- Verbally process until you pass out?
- Think about TRUTH, the Bigger Picture, and Thank God He is At Work?
Today’s Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the teachings in Your Word. Through Scripture I can learn how to handle life. It’s all there, I just have to read it, sit with it, learn to apply it to my life. And, more than that, Father, I need a renewed belief system in TRUTH…all the time. Renew my mind and beliefs from the daily exposure to self and the world that I live in. It’s far easier to think that life is terrible when hard, but I love how Paul celebrated what you were doing to further his deliverance, and the further the spread of Truth, through hard things. I want the mind of Christ and the attitude of Paul.
