Beyond Suffering Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 9
Philippians
Contentment. Paul had learned the secret of this attitude, and he revealed it to the Philippians. While under house arrest, Paul wrote this
letter to the Philippians to thank some dear friends who had sent him
money. In this letter he told them about a joy that does not depend
upon external circumstances because it is rooted in Jesus Christ, who
gives it freely. Paul revealed his uncertainty about his future, whether
he would be executed or released. However, Paul’s
trust in Christ gave him confidence to face any cirAUTHOR:
Paul the apostle.
cumstance with grace and contentment.
DATE WRITTEN:
SUFFERING & DISABILIT Y THEMES
Around a.d. 61, during
Paul’s imprisonment in
Rome.
PURPOSE:
Citizenship in Heaven People with disabilities and chronic
pain are not second-class citizens. They can rest assured
that their true citizenship is in heaven. Paul reminds us not
to feel diminished in any way by our sufferings because we
“have been given not only the privilege of trusting Christ,
but also the privilege of suffering for him” (1:28-29).
To thank the Philippians
for the gift they had sent
him and to encourage
them by describing the
contentment he had
found in Jesus Christ.
Contentment Our sense of physical and emotional well-being should not
come from material things. While disease and disability cross all social
classes, today’s high medical costs can leave families struggling to make ends
meet. Things that once seemed valuable become worthless compared to a
healthy child or loved one. Paul urges us to embrace his secret of being content in the midst of life’s difficult challenges by focusing on Christ and our
mission of sharing the Good News.
Joy Joy is a gift of God as well as a practice of faith for all who follow Christ.
Paul repeatedly tells the Philippians to rejoice or be joyful—when life is
good and when life is tough. Suffering can feel like a prison; pain can feel
like it will never come to an end. Joy allows our love to flow, our attitude to
be Christlike, our thoughts to be fixed on the good, and our potential to be
fulfilled in whatever life circumstances we face.
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