“If you look at your circumstances through the lens of God’s goodness — His power and promises — that’s a higher perspective. You can experience joy because you know a good God is going to take even the worst and most difficult things in life and use it for your good.”- Chip Ingram
“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.”- Philippians1:6 (ESV)
Chip Ingram continues Chapter 1 of I Choose Joy with the statement that living above our circumstances happens when our perspective interprets our circumstances. Rather than the other way around.
Therefore, in Philippians 1, the apostle Paul provides four keys and four questions that determine whether or not we live with the joy God has promised us. Today we begin a look at the first key.
Key #1: Focus. First, Chip asks you to identify your most difficult, painful circumstance or relationship right now. So, Pastor Ingram wonders, what one thing would you pick for God to fix or take away? Hence, with that in mind, Chip takes a look at Philippians 1.
Most significantly, this chapter packs great power when we know the context. The apostle Paul is likely writing to the Philippian believer from house arrest in Rome. Yet, Paul chose to focus on God’s calling to take the message of the gospel to the gentile world. A calling Paul eagerly accepted.
Certainly, Chip states, Paul possessed every right to feel discouraged — from a purely human standpoint. But he presented an entirely different perspective to the Philippian believers. Paul fills his letter to them with joy. Above all, probably very surprising to his readers, Paul’s letter to the Philippians overflows with joy.
In conclusion, Chip observes:
“Even from the start, [Philippians] is full of affection. . . . Does [Paul] seem worried about his situation and how it might turn out? Not at all. As he has prayed for all the believers in this church, he has maintained a very positive perspective, full of joy and gratitude.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you see your circumstances through the lens of God’s goodness? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the September Short Meditation, “Made to walk with God’