Comfort us, Lord, when life's trails assail -we fail and stumble so often. Renew us, and help us to grow so that others may also know Your goodness and comfort.
Situation Excellent
Sometimes in life's battles we can feel as if we are losing on every front. Family discord, business setbacks, financial woes, or a decline in health can put a pessimistic spin on the way to conclude: "Situation excellent."
Look at Paul, when he was thrown in prison for preaching the gospel, he had an unusually upbeat attitude. To the church at Philippi he wrote, " I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel" V12.
Paul saw his prison situation as a new platform from which to evangelize to the Roman palace guard. In addition, other Christians became emboldened by his situation to preach the gospel more fearlessly.
God can use our trials to work good in spite of the pain they bring us (Rom. 8:28). That's just one more way He can be honored.
Philippians 1:3-14
The things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. V12
Iris