July 28, 2013 What to Do?

Read Philippians 1:19-21 What to Do? for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. WHAT do you do when you don’t know what to do when you find the circumstances of your life to be very hard, even sorrowful? As Paul was in a physical prison facing possible death, you are in a spiritual prison, uncertain of God’s life for you. What does he want? Why is life so hard? Frustrated, you don’t even know how to pray because your circumstances seem so hopeless. Indeed, what do you do? What Paul expresses here is a complete trust in Jesus. As he affirms “to live is Christ” he knows his life is under the eternal care and authority of his risen Savior. This imprisonment ended with his freedom, but he didn’t know that when he wrote of his faith. He turned from looking at himself to set his mind on Jesus’ great love for him. Faithfully trusting Jesus for his life in heaven, Paul faithfully trusted Jesus for his life on earth. What do you do in the really hard circumstances of your life? Do as Paul. And tell Jesus, “I can’t handle it, Jesus.” Then let him take it. Rest in his Lordship. Know he has destroyed death for you. Know he lives for you. A Moment’s Thought: The Lord Jesus is bigger than any circumstance.