Friday the 8th

 

Philippians 1:12

 

¹²Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

 

There Paul sat in chains, chains that bound him, and kept him from traveling and spreading the Word of God. Yet Paul still sees how even his hardship is an opportunity to advance the Word. It is easy to sing God’s praises when life is going well. It is when we hit the troubled patches that our true faith comes out. Paul could have very well dropped into a state of depression. He could have had himself quite a nice pity party, and rolled in his misfortune. Yet he chose not to. Paul instead used his time, and his misfortune as an opportunity to profess the Word to all who would listen. They might be able to keep his body in one place, but they could not keep the love of Christ from filling those around him! This is our challenge, when we face adversity we have two choices. We can lay down and be defeated, or we can turn that opportunity into a spectacular reflection of our faith. Just like Paul, you choose. In every situation you make the choice to reflect the Lord, or reflect defeat. Remember that those who are around you are watching to see how you handle it, will you break? Let them be in awe of how even in the darkest of times, your faith in the Lord shines through. God uses everything in our lives for the good. No matter how bad it is, he will use it for the good in the end. You just have to let him do that. Use your trials and hardships as a chance to praise God. If you listen, even in the storm, over the thunder, and the rain you will hear him say as always, “I am with you, I will not leave you I will never forsake you”

 

Peace,

Brian