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“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” Philippians 1:12. The Apostle Paul was writing to Philippi while imprisoned in Rome. If you are not familiar with Paul, his name was once Saul who was a persecutor of Christians. He later experienced a dramatic conversion after encountering Jesus on a road to Damascus in his pursuit to persecute followers of Jesus. This road to Damascus conversion is widely used as a reference point when someone has an intimate moment with God that leads to a transformation.

Paul was later imprisoned for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ where he was sentenced to confinement and isolation. It was during this time that he wrote much of the New Testament and even witnessed to guards and others through letters. As I was studying Phillipians over the weekend, I realized just how God uses each of us right where we are – in suffering and adverse circumstances. In the verse above you see that Paul is explaining that even in the wrongdoing he is enduring, he is still able to accomplish what he was sent to do – spread the gospel. I know that as Christians we question why trials and difficult situations arise, but because we live in a fallen world, we too are not exempt from the hardships. The captivity produces reliance, responsibility and worship if you grasp the understanding that God is in control. Paul trusted that God would use his life to advance the Kingdom even though the suffering was immense. “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Philippians 1:20. Because of Paul’s positive perspective, he didn’t view his jail cell as a punishment, but as an opportunity to share the goodness of God.

That seems impossible, right? Although many of us won’t face the circumstances of Paul, if you dig deep enough, you may discover that you are currently detained yourself. Our four walls can come through a negative thought process, a reliance on anything other than the Lord, a negative relationship, an addiction, depression or anxiety – we’ve all experienced bondage. During that time of captivity, what did you do? When the walls were rising all around and your life felt to be in pieces, did stay confined or did you rise? It is much easier to succumb into the chains, but just as Paul writes, what good is that when you still have God! Paul ends chapter 1 by encouraging others to continue growing, learning and studying the Word of God and remain steadfast in speaking life and truth in all situations. A man, confined to a dark dungeon was encouraging others to hold on to their faith?  It is a wonderful reminder that whatever you are facing today, you still have Jesus. Paul could have rotted away in despair and strife, but because of his knowledge of the truth, he was able to rise from the pit and continue to magnify the Father!

Just as Paul proclaimed the sovereignty of God through his letters and words, we too are to live out our faith even in the most challenging of circumstances with joy and worship flowing from our hearts each day. Your prison will only begin to crumble when you are able to see beyond those walls my friend. 

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Philippians 1:27.

Blessings,

Kayla