Thanks for the encouragement, Paul

Can I give you a dirty little secret about preachers? (well - this preacher, at least). We don't always take our own medicine. There. I said it. I'm not proud of that little fact, but I know it's true. There have been more than a few times I have offered others advice or biblical guidance that I myself have not followed. Oh, i know what i should do, but at times - probably like every other Christian - I don't do it. Case in point: Dealing with discouragement and disappointments ...

Just this Sunday, I was filling in our congregation a little on the condition of my son, Mark. (He comes home TODAY, by the way!) I mentioned something off the cuff about how Philippians reminds us of how the joy of the Lord can be our strength, etc. etc. Sometimes those familiar phrases, almost cliche' like, roll off the tongue too easily. But this time, God stopped me. He sent me back to Philippians this week with this conviction: "Are you finding strength in my joy?" And I have not been. I have been worn down and discouraged. I have weary and less productive. Not to sound overly dramatic, but the accumulation of all this "stuff" lately (Mark's situation and a lot more) has just beaten me down. I didn't realize the cumulative effect until the last few days. So ... as I went back to Philippians, this is what I found to help deal with discouragement and hardship. I hope this helps you as it has me.

I remember someone once sharing this advice to me after I had been disappointed: "Don't ever expect anything, and you won't ever be disappointed." While that may be true, it sure is a negative and cynical way to live life, isn't it? I've also heard the "word-faith" "name it and claim it" TV preacher (often and sadly emulated in our area) tell us that we "get exactly what we expect" as if our words, thoughts, claims, statements, etc. direct the future. Well, I don't know about you, but I have gotten quite a lot I didn't expect in this life. I've personally decided on a different sort of motto. Being a huge believer in the sovereignty of God, I believe that I'll "get whatever God wants me to get". With that in mind, I know I will face things that hurt, confuse, disappoint, and discourage me. But i will also know that God does in fact know what He is doing and that He does do what He does out of love for us, so here's ...

SOME BIBLICAL GUIDANCE FOR FACING DISAPPOINTMENTS, DISCOURAGEMENT, and HARDSHIPS (from Philippians 1):

When life is tough (say, like being in prison, ala the apostle Paul) ...

1) Find a positive and sustaining memory! (vs. 3-5)

Paul certainly had an incredible and memorable life. Of course, not all of the memories were good … Notice that he recalls positive events and people who have blessed him. This helped him carry on! Our momentary problems can really skew our perspective on our lives. We tend to self-pity, resentment, anger, and the like,. We ask questions about "fairness" and "why me?" But i know for me, my life has been pretty good. I have experienced many wonderful events, known lots of great people, and have been very blessed. It's hard now, but this chapter of my life is not the only one that has been written or that will be written.

Philippians 1:3-5 (ESV) I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

My positive memories remind me (in the words of my favorite professor, Dr. Melvin) that this too shall pass! My life has not always been like this and it will not always be like this. I can recall better times, and doing so returns a sense of balance and perspective to my life.


2) Trust God for ultimate outcomes! (vs. 6)

He always knows what He is doing, even when you’re in prison! (like Paul). And He is forever in control! And while we cannot always see His hand at work, we should trust that He is working towards an ultimate end. I struggle to understand the "why" of autism, sickness, my son's broken wrist right on the verge of his basketball tournament (and birthday), and so many other day-to-day events and happenings. God often does not answer my prayers as I request Him too. (Do you ever do that? Give God your plan and then get disappointed when he doesn't, genie-like, carry it out?) Instead of getting lost in the immediate, look to the ultimate. Trust God as completely as Paul did:

Philippians 1:6 (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

God will definitively finish what He started in me - and in you.

3) Invest in life long edifying friendships! (vs. 7-8)

Circumstances can (and will) disappoint. Thank God for close friends who encourage us and sustain us when we are struggling! Over the last few months, the support, help, and encouragement of friends has really carried us. From the cards, letters, and emails to the unexpected gifts, we have really been blessed by friendship. And beyond the good people of FBJB who have constantly encouraged us with their words, prayers, and generosity, we have been carried by long-time friends that we love and who love us. I am not too proud to admit my need for those sorts of friends. I believe God created us all that way - with a need to live interdependently with eat other. I can understand what Paul meant when he spoke of those he held in his heart. The close friends I hold in my heart have been - more than they will know - a gift of God to me.

Philippians 1:7 (ESV) It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.


4) Try to see the bigger picture! (vs. 12-18)

What was it that primarily kept Paul going? It's the same "thing" that will keep any person going thru adversity and hardship. It is a sense of purpose and calling. That driving sense of who I am and what I am here for is a powerful motivator to keep on going. What great purpose do you have that will keep you going in the midst of crisis? Without purpose, we are so much more likely to quit - to give up. Have you ever quit something saying, "What's the point?" Paul knew the point of his life. He also realized that in spite of what he was going through, the purpose of God for his life was still playing out! Yes - things are exceedingly tough at the moment, but look at the big picture! God is still accomplishing His plan through my life.

Philippians 1:12-18 (ESV) I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. and most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

5) Always keep an eternal perspective! (vs. 19-26)

God has placed in the life of every believer a spiritual deposit (the Holy Spirit) of what is in store for us (Heaven). It is right that we should long for it. It is beneficial for us to frame our view of everything in light of it! I think of this in most extreme terms: win or lose - as a Christian, I still win! You get it? What is the worst that could happen to me? Death? Well then, I win! And if I live? Then I continue doing what God made me to do for His glory and my eternal reward. One way or the other, I WILL BE delivered! If it's cancer, one way or the other - here or there - I will be delivered! Autism? Just the same! Hardship? Difficulty? It won't last! Paul said:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

and ...

Philippians 1:19-26 (ESV) ... for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

So hang in there. Be encouraged. Paul suffered beyond what any of us will likely endure. And his suffering as a Christian was not because of bad choices, stupid mistakes, or sin. He suffered for doing the right thing. And he held up. In fact, stood firm, kept fighting, and was unfazed by the attacks of the enemy.

Thanks for the encouragement, Paul.