Make the Choice to Rejoice

In Philippians 1:18-19 I read, “I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.” (NLT)

When things are falling apart, don’t try to work it out myself. Let God put the pieces back together.

When I’m facing a problem, I’ve got two options: I can worship, or I can worry. That’s it! This is the faith factor.

Paul says in Philippians 1:18-19, “I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance” (NLT).

In that one Scripture passage, Paul reveals several sources of strength for staying positive and happy in tough times. 

First, I have to keep God’s perspective about my problems. Paul says, “For I know . . .” It’s what you know that keeps you going. Paul knows God is working in the midst of his struggle, and he keeps God’s bigger perspective that helps him see past his problems.

Second, Paul has people praying for him, and that keeps him going. Knowing I have the support of other believers is like having wind to fill your sails. It keeps me from giving up.

Then he says, “The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me.” The Holy Spirit also keeps Paul going. And the same Spirit that keeps Paul going is the Spirit that is working in and helping me persevere as a follower of Jesus.

Finally, he says, “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul has faith that God will work his problems for good. God is going to do his good work, no matter what I decide. But he also wants to see me growing in faith and showing him that I believe he can do it.

Because he has God’s perspective, the prayer of friends, the Holy Spirit, and faith, Paul chooses to “continue to rejoice.”

Make the choice to rejoice.

In summary, when things are falling apart, I shouldn’t try to work it out on my own. Rather, let God put the pieces back together. When I’m facing a problem, I’ve got two options: worship, or worry. So “continue to rejoice and as others pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, I’ll be delivered. In one Scripture passage, Paul reveals several sources of strength for staying positive and happy in tough times. First, keep God’s perspective about my problems. God is working in the midst of his struggle, and keeps God’s bigger perspective that helps him see past his problems. Second, Paul has people praying for him. Knowing I have the support of other believers is like having wind to fill my sails.“The Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me.” The same Spirit that keeps Paul going is the Spirit that is working in and helping me persevere as a follower of Jesus. Finally, he says, “This will lead to my deliverance.” Paul has faith that God will work his problems for good. God is going to do his good work, no matter what I decide. But God wants to see me growing in faith and showing him that I believe he can do it. Because he has God’s perspective, the prayer of friends, the Holy Spirit, and faith, Paul chooses to “continue to rejoice.” I can as well.

I can choose to rejoice, for I have the Spirit of Christ helping me and the prayers of others. When it seemed everything was against him, Paul accepted it. He knew and trusted that he was in a place where God could use him. So when things appear to be falling apart, I shouldn't try to work it out on my own. Rather I need to let God put the pieces back together. I have two options, worship or worry. So keep God's perspective on my problems. Know that God is working in the midst of my struggle. Second, use the prayers of others to keep me going and know that God will work out my problem for my good.