What connects more with non-believers, achieving prosperity or surviving adversity, emotionally and mentally whole?
Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And 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.
Paul, the apostle, didn’t allow his unlawful imprisonment to sour his testimony. Instead, he used that opportunity o share the gospel in his suffering. He’s looking for opportunities to bless those around him even if they are his enemies or jailers. These people needed the Jesus and now Paul was in a place to witness to them. Think of how many people would have missed out on heaven had Paul taken the mindset of a victim.
Wouldn’t it be crazy if our most powerful testimonies came from our times of struggles and weakness, and not our strengths? So many of the “prosperity gospel” churches think non-believers are impressed by Christians having lots of riches and stuff. What has blessed my friends and coworkers is how we stay mentally, emotionally, and spiritually whole through being dependent on the Lord during times of adversity. Our street creds come from our faithful testimony during times of struggle, not our success.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Our community is crying out for purpose and hope, looking around every corner for something real and lasting. What if our church family got busy praying, serving, and connecting with non-believers in our community and shared how God has blessed us when we were experiencing failure, sin, pain and defeat?
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through these scriptures?