Continuing on from Philippians (Chapter 1a), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF…
ARE YOU IN PRISON?
You may not be in a literal prison, or even experiencing physically suffering, but you may feel trapped or discouraged.
Remember: The way you respond when you find yourself in conflicts at work, in your friendships, in your marriage, with your finances, with your teachers, your family members, etc. has to power to restrain you, or set you free. Your response reflects what you believe, and of who you believe in.
WHAT KEPT PAUL GOING IN ADVERSE SITUATIONS?
Paul, “I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, and I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die. And while I live that means fruitful service for Christ.“ – Phil. 1:20,22
WHAT FUELED PAUL TO PUSH THROUGH HIS SUFFERING?
I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. – Phil. 1:25
AN EXAMPLE OF JOY IN SUFFERING
Between 1942 and 1945, a Jewish man named Viktor Frankl, spent time in four different Nazi concentration camps. His family died, he suffered horribly, and he spent years watching everyone around him suffering and dying. Out of this horrific experience came the book, Man’s Search for Meaning.
Here is a few quotes to ponder from Frankl’s book.
“Suffering is of itself meaningless. We give our suffering meaning by the way we respond to it.”
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances — the freedom to choose how you will respond to situation.”
“You can’t control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you feel and do about what happens to you.”
TRANSFORMATION/STRENGTHENING
Allow your suffering to transform you. Allow your suffering to strengthen your faith in God.
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