Storm Warning: Eye on the Sky — Thursday
Philippians 4:12-13
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (NLT)
Before I was following the Lord, there were a handful of Bible verses that I could recognize. I’ve heard these types of verses affectionately referred to as “Hobby Lobby verses” because they’re the ones plastered on anything you can find at Hobby Lobby, from coffee mugs to decorative pillows. Philippians 4:13 is one of those verses I could’ve identified before I was a Christian because of how iconic it is, especially amongst athletes. Paul’s words in verse 13 are encouraging and inspiring to us all, but very rarely do you hear what he says right before: “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”
For context, Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians from a prison cell, meaning that he really did know how to live on almost nothing. He was stripped of his possessions and locked away. He experienced an empty stomach. Outside of prison, he lived on little to no income. He traveled from city to city with no place to rest his head. He experienced persecution. This was the life he lived after his radical conversion on the road to Damascus.
Yet throughout the entire letter, Paul speaks of the joy the Lord had given him. How could he have had joy when his experiences pointed to a life of misery? Paul knew that his circumstances did not define the goodness of God. He knew that the joy of the Lord was his strength. Joy is not circumstantial. He knew the Lord’s character remained consistent through every storm he faced.
While you may not be reading this from a prison cell, there are storms you are facing now or will be facing in the future. I hope that in times of uncertainty or hardship, you can remember the secret of living that Paul found so much hope in—that Jesus Christ will give you the strength to make it through.
Thursday’s Reflection
Take the time to read the book of Philippians. Whether you do that in one sitting or take several days, I believe you will find so much encouragement in the text. Be encouraged by Paul’s words as you endure whatever storm you’re facing.