Daily Devotionals

Here We Go Again: Week 5 - Monday

 

And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. Philippians 1:12

What comes to mind when you think of the word “discouraged?” Maybe you are thinking about something you are discouraged about. Perhaps it reminds you of how you disappointed someone or how someone disappointed you. Whatever comes to mind when you think about the word “discouraged," I am sure that this word brings forth feelings of negativity. As much as we work to avoid discouragement, every one of us will face discouragements while living on this earth. The question is, how will we deal with discouragements when they arise? Will we turn to God, or will we wallow in our discouragements?

The apostle Paul understood what it was like to face discouragement. He faced persecution after persecution for spreading the name of Jesus. In fact, he wrote the book of Philippians while he was in prison for preaching in the name of Jesus. Now, if I were in Paul's situation, I would feel discouraged, worried, and even a little bit angry about my circumstances. In the very first chapter of Philippians, he addressed his current circumstances and his imprisonment. He wrote, "I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ" (verses 12-13). Paul saw beyond his circumstances. He knew that life was about much more than his comforts and even safety. He knew that spreading the name of Jesus was worth any price he would have to pay for making Him known. As a result, he did not wallow or complain. Instead, he understood that his contentment and his joy were not rooted in his circumstances. It was rooted in knowing Christ and making Him known to everyone around him.

The remarkable thing about Paul’s time in prison was that it was not wasted. Indeed, God used this time in prison for Paul to write the book of Philippians. Paul might not have realized how important this book would become, but God did, and Paul trusted Him and His plan. 

Are you in a season of discouragement right now, tempted to wallow and complain about your circumstances? Take a moment to learn from Paul's example. We may not always understand our circumstances, but we can turn to God and trust that He will not waste any of our pain or disappointment. Will you trust Him today?

 

Moving Toward Action

Take a few moments and take your discouragements and disappointments to God. Share with Him what is burdening you. Then, ask Him to help you trust Him in your disappointments. Ask Him to help you focus on what matters most: knowing Him and making Him known. 

 

Going Deeper

Philippians 1:1-13

 

1This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. 

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.