Living Above Our Circumstances

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:12-21   

Many look at a new calendar year and see a clean sheet before them, a time to set new objectives or reinforce past choices. On the other hand, there are many who see the new year as just one more bleak day-to-day existence through which they are forced to suffer and endure. Both outlooks need to face life’s circumstances with hope and faith. But where does one draw upon such resources?

Let’s set a standard for today, this year, the rest of our lives. Let’s accept the truth that God has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and through His Word, the Bible - and to His children, He reveals Himself through the presence of His Spirit. Now those are resources! Face life with those resources at hand. You’ll find that even when you are confronted with difficult circumstances, you have the ability to live above them.

How can such a confident statement be made? Go back to our standard - God’s Word. You’ll see in the epistles how the Apostle Paul faced trial after trial. He was greatly persecuted, yet he was always triumphant because he learned the secret which we can learn - that of living above our circumstances.

“For to me, to live is Christ...” Phil. 1:21

Happy New Year!