Joyful Despite Difficult Circumstances

Philippians 1:3-4 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for you fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

As we read these words it is difficult to suspect that Paul is imprisoned. The tone of his words would indicate that he is in very different circumstances – perhaps at a festival or celebrating with friends at home. However, that is not so. Who could imagine that Paul is under house arrest and chained to two imperial Roman guards as he dictates this letter to Timothy for the Philippians? And yet he is filled with triumphant joy. How do we account for his gratefulness and joyfulness despite the difficult circumstances?

Philippians 1:9-10 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ;

This love abounding, this love that captures Paul and gives him reason and impetus to be filled with joy and gratitude is at the very heart of who he is. Because Paul is in Christ and Christ is in him, he can do all that God requires, despite all. Paul is a man of great love and tenderness. His prayers are not fueled by duty or insensitivity, but with the love he has received from Christ. Paul says that he longs for the Philippians with the ‘affection of Jesus Christ’ (verse 8). This is a genuine, deep love that causes one to give, even give their very life for another. This is the love that spurs Paul to give thanks and rejoice in his friends in Philippi.

Regardless of the difficulties Paul is facing, he is not absorbed with selfishness, but others remain at the forefront of his mind. His gratitude and joy towards the saints and their faith overrules all his own personal discomfort. Joy comes as Paul looks outward to others, rather than inward at himself. He is grateful for and joyful concerning the Philippian Christians, and therefore prays in thanks for them. He is convinced that they are converted and share in a partnership in the gospel with him (verse 5). He is confident that God who began a good work in these people will continue to bring it to perfection (Philippians 1:6). And in joyful assurance Paul knows that their salvation and future glory is guaranteed.

Paul’s prayers are fueled by Christ’s love, filled with joy as he considers the saint’s faith, and focused on their growth in Christian love, so that they may approve the things that are excellent in their relationship with God, with each other and with unbelievers. If they abound in Christ’s love, they will enjoy a sincere faith and be without offense until the return of our Savior. But there is more!

Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

The priority is that these Christians would grow in the love of Christ so that their lives would bear righteous fruit and thus bring glory and praise to God. Their growth in holiness will result in the outward display of glorious, good works that will reflect the beauty of Christ and bring glory to His name. What a prayer!

How do our prayers compare to Paul’s? Especially when we are suffering or experiencing hardship? Are our prayers inward or outward focused? There is most certainly a need to pray for our concerns. We are to caste all our concerns upon the Lord, because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) and Jesus encourages us to ask for our daily needs when he demonstrates to his disciples how to pray (Matthew 6:11). However, as Paul’s life clearly indicates, joy and gratitude arise when we pray for others. When we thank God for their salvation, their spiritual growth, ask Him to increase their love for Him and others so that their life may become full of righteousness, a living testimony of His goodness and bring praise to His name.

‘Heavenly Father, my prayers have fallen far short of this prayer offered by Paul to the Philippians. Help me in my weakness. Help me to pray prayers pleasing to You especially in those times I am suffering. May my life abound with Your love more and more so that I may approve what is excellent in Your sight and my life bear good fruit to the glory of Your name. Thank You for those I know and love who are in Christ. Help me to pray for their spiritual growth and especially that Your love may abound in their heart too and their life would bring You praise. Amen.’