Joy and Peace Through AdversitySample

God and His Purpose Are What Is Important 

What Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13 is not a fortune cookie saying. He was in jail, not for committing a crime, but for sharing the message of Christ. Enemies of the Word falsely accused him, and Paul was in the process of being judged. In the midst of such circumstances, he wrote Philippians. 

Philippians 1:19–21 says: “For I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Paul was hopeful about his freedom because many were praying for him and he expected God would work to answer their prayers. In the end he would not be ashamed, because even if he died, Christ would be exalted. The will not stay in a crisis if I am imprisoned. God’s purpose continues because my life circuits around God; my life is Christ. If I die, I keep winning because of the hope I have in Him. The important thing is not what happens in my life, but God and His purpose. It is not about what happens outside but inside of me. The transformation that occurs internally, in my heart and mind. 

Philippians 2:17 says: “But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.” If God allowed my life to be a sacrifice that resulted in death for Him, this would not take away my faith nor joy. Paul taught the Philippians that in the midst of being incarcerated, he was not crying or complaining about the situation; neither was he calling himself a martyr. 

Paul was not limited by the realities of his physical life; his focus was on spiritual realities. If we do not see life with Paul’s perspective, we will see our circumstances, even the most insignificant ones, as invincible giants and problems with no solution. Instead, he lived with a spirit of such joy that he had plenty to share and desired everyone to live in such a way. He wanted us to understand this joy in which we can live and possess.