By Charles Stanley
Listen to this devo as an audio podcast: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/10/03/handling-difficult-circumstances-5/
** Are you experiencing difficult circumstances? Talk to an online mentor today: http://thelife.com/experience/talk-to-a-mentor/
Please open your Bible and read Philippians 1:12-20.
Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi was written during his Roman imprisonment. Chained continuously to a guard while awaiting trial, he wrote encouraging the Philippians not to worry over him, because he was learning some valuable lessons.
“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am,” he told them. (Philippians 4:11)
Notice the verse does not say that he was always happy; happiness depends upon circumstances. Contentment, on the other hand, indicates we are so anchored in God that we can thank Him in the midst of pain. Paul’s surroundings were among the worst in the world, but he scarcely mentioned his situation. Instead, his focus never wavered from God. (Philippians 1:20; 3:10)
Paul did not see himself as a victim. He believed that he was under the sovereign hand of the living Lord - in God’s place at God’s time for God’s purpose. All around him, Paul saw the good result of his time in prison. The entire Praetorian Guard, the elite soldiers who guarded Caesar, had heard about Jesus, thanks to the apostle’s consistent witnessing. His imprisonment was also having the opposite effect of what his enemies had planned. Instead of driving Christians into hiding, Paul’s example of contentment in the face of hardship made them bolder.
Like Paul, we must choose our response to pain and hardship. We can become resentful and bitter, consequently allowing a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth to defeat us. Or we can turn to God, cry out for help, and be victorious.
Permanent devotional link: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/handling-difficult-circumstances/
Question: Who do you turn to in times of hardship?
About this Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/charles-stanley/
6 Comments
Feed for this entry
Trackback Address
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:13 am
Thanks for the devotional! I go to prayer when there is a difficult situation and I will sometimes talk to a friend who I know who will to bring my concern to the Lord!
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:37 am
I have read this one over about 6 times today and sent to about 8 people all of whom were blessed. God bless you for this word today.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Paul was a great example of total surrender and trust in the Lord Jesus. God’s wisdom to us through him is and has been so helpful. Thank you Charles for reminding us that we have a choice in these situations. A choice to stand firm with the Lord Jesus or to give up and allow these situations consume us with bitternesss, resentfulness, worry, etc. Praying today for all of us to keep our focus on Jesus and our hope in Him. Loving you all from here…..Donna
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I so agree with Donna that Paul was such a great example for us and I don’t know why it sometimes takes us so long so to see that and follow his example well at least I know for me it did. I always would turn to a friend when something went wrong or a problem came up in my life but finally I came to the realization through the death of my daughter that I have to Turn to God and Lean on Him. He is the one that is always there for me, friends come and go, even family members don’t always know how to be supportive of you but Jesus Never Leaves You, He Is With Me Every Day, Through Thick or Thin He Is Right By My Side. Like he said in Deut. 31:6 for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” So I have learned that when hardships come and they do, come first and foremost I turn to Jesus and then I usually have a friend or come to the blog and ask for pray. What a privilege it is to be able to come to this blog anytime night or day and freely ask for prayer and know that their are sisters in Christ All Around The World That Are So Willing To Pray For You & For That I Say Thank You! Hugs, Linda!!!
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Hi Mugs, Sheryl, DonnaL, and Linda R! Always a blessing to join my sisters here and share our joy of the Lord! :) To today’s message, I say, “Amen, and amen!” Thank you, CWT, for presenting a message from Charles Stanley — he is a favorite of mine, his biblical exegesis always enlightens and blesses! Yes, DonnaL and Linda R, with our trials comes the opportunity to trust Jesus more, to take our faith to the next level, where we experience true peace! He never assigns trials without offering His grace to lift us above them! He is full of mercy and compassion, and permits us to suffer for a time, that He might perfect our faith! While it so blesses us to meet our sisters here, and share our struggles, only Jesus can take our struggles and turn them into victories! He is faithful and true, the Holy One!
October 5th, 2008 at 10:59 am
dr. stanley, i must say that you have been an inspiration in my life. it was your In Touch Ministries program that i first saw you preach(over a year ago). your passion for Christ kept me wanting to know more about this man Jesus. i have been following your ministry ever since. the first Bible i started reading is Lifes Principles. it was your input that gave me the realization that the Bible was not just any book and that in being the Bible, i should not be afraid to read it. today i turn to the Holy Bible with no fear of not understanding. i find so much comfort in your preaching.
to answer your question: i turn to the Lord Our God in times of strife. i need Him, His grace,His power in order to walk in His ways. i know He will not dessert me.