Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to CoverSample

We Can Find Joy

Philippians 1-4

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is filled with encouragement to rejoice in the Lord. It is ironic that Paul is imprisoned while writing the letter to the city where an earthquake shook the prison as he and Silas joyfully sang hymns at midnight. He knew the importance of living joyfully based on experience (see Acts 16).

Let’s look at Paul’s message to the Philippians:

First, Paul says to rejoice in spite of conflicting circumstances. Some people had begun preaching the gospel insincerely, hoping to cause difficulty for Paul. Paul resigned to the conflict saying: “What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice”(Philippians 1:18, CSB).

Any time we struggle with difficult circumstances, we can look for the good, especially if it means that Christ will be shown through our lives. When Christ is proclaimed, we can rejoice.

We can also rejoice in spite of conflicting personalities. Paul continues to say:

“make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2, CSB).

When we remember the common purpose—declaring the good news to the world—then we can have unity, even when personalities clash. Paul gives us Christ as our example, “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus . . . ”  (Philippians 2:5, CSB).

Finally, Paul reminds us to rejoice instead of worrying about anything: “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6, CSB).

It’s so much easier to talk about this than to do it—but praying instead of worrying results in peace of mind and heart. When we do, we allow room in our heart to replace worry with the joy of the Lord.