When life gets hard, it’s natural to ask, “God, what are you doing?” We’ve all experienced those moments when nothing seems to go right—when Murphy’s Law feels like a permanent resident in our lives. In Philippians 1:12-26, the Apostle Paul addresses suffering by sharing his own difficult circumstances, offering us a powerful perspective on how to respond when life gets tough.
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What does the Bible say about suffering as a Christian?
Paul writes to the Philippian church while imprisoned for his faith. He’s in chains, facing opposition, and potentially facing execution. Yet his response is surprising: “I rejoice.”
The Philippian believers were also experiencing “severe trials” and “extreme poverty” in a city dominated by Caesar worship. Being a Christian in Philippi meant facing significant opposition and hardship. Paul acknowledges this shared suffering when he writes in Philippians 1:29-30: “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”
How did Paul respond to his suffering?
Rather than complaining about his circumstances, Paul focuses on how God is using his suffering:
- The gospel is advancing – “What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (v.12)
- People of influence are hearing about Christ – “It has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ” (v.13)
- Other believers are becoming bolder – “Because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear” (v.14)
Even when facing opposition from other preachers with wrong motives, Paul maintains his focus: “What does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this, I rejoice” (v.18).
How can we find joy in our suffering?
Paul’s perspective reveals a profound truth: the most important thing in our suffering is that the gospel advances. This isn’t a pat religious answer or spiritual platitude. It’s a fundamental shift in how we view our circumstances.
The word “gospel” (euangelion in Greek) means “good news.” In Philippi, where Caesar worship was prominent, there was something called the “Gospel of Caesar”—a celebration of the emperor’s ascension and how the empire brought peace and protection. But Paul proclaims a different gospel—the good news of God’s kingdom.
When Jesus began his ministry, he said: “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). The gospel is about the kingdom of God—the reality that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth.
Why is the gospel bigger than our suffering?
The gospel isn’t primarily about us—it’s about Jesus. It’s the good news that Jesus came to earth, died, was buried, conquered death, was raised to life, and is now seated at the right hand of God with all authority.
This perspective changes everything about suffering. When we understand that Jesus is on the throne:
- Our suffering loses its power over us
- We can trust that God is in control
- We know that God can work through our hardest circumstances
- We recognize that Jesus is bigger than any problem we face
As Paul writes: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (v.21). His perspective was so transformed that he viewed continued life as the sacrifice and death as the gain!
What does God’s sovereignty mean for our pain?
Like Job in the Old Testament, we often want God to explain why we’re suffering. But God’s answer isn’t always about the “why.” Instead, He reminds us of who He is—the sovereign God who holds all things together.
God’s sovereignty doesn’t mean He causes all suffering, but it does mean:
- He can see what we can’t see
- He knows what we don’t know
- He understands how all things work together
- He remains in control even when life feels chaotic
Paul could say, “I’m in jail and I’ve lost my freedom. I’m in chains. But I rejoice because King Jesus is on his throne and he’s got this.”
Life Application
When facing your own struggles, remember that King Jesus is on His throne. This doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine or ignoring your pain. Rather, it means acknowledging your suffering while trusting in something bigger.
Here are some questions to reflect on this week:
- What suffering or struggle am I currently facing that I need to entrust to God?
- How might God be using my current difficulties to advance His kingdom?
- In what ways has my perspective been focused more on my circumstances than on Christ’s sovereignty?
- How can I rejoice in my suffering this week, not because the suffering itself is good, but because I know God is working through it?
The challenge this week is to practice saying, “King Jesus is on His throne, and He’s got this” whenever you face a difficult circumstance. Turn your suffering over to Him, trusting that He can work through it for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.