Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

What has been happening to you lately? Can’t make any sense of it? Are you a child of God and have you been doing everything you feel he has asked of you? Yes! So you ask: “How have I ended up in my present situation?” Exhausted, unappreciated, broke, sick, jobless …. fill in the blanks.

It is said that the letter to the Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison in Rome yet this letter is full of thanksgiving, joy and encouragement to the believers. He even assured them that in his prayers for them he was always joyful because of their partnership in the gospel, and that he was confident that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” (See Philippians 1:6).

Paul was a veteran of the faith by this stage in his life. He was now in prison, not for the first time, and he had suffered all kinds of indignities simply for preaching the gospel. He gives quite a list in 2 Corinthians 11: 23-28. Sounds like he is boasting of all the hardships he had faced, and in fact he admits to boasting, even though he assures us that in this instance he is behaving as someone out of his mind.

All things considered, I think Paul found it necessary every so often to look back so he could go forward. He had to transport himself back to his vision on the Damascus road so he could have clarity and context for how his life had turned out. I think he had to make himself listen again and again to the voice of Jesus as he had heard it on that day and replay his encounter with Ananias whom the Lord had sent to help him understand the reason for what had happened to him at that time. (See Acts 9)

That is what I am recommending for you today. Sit quietly in God’s presence and remind yourself of what he said to you back then, when he commissioned you as it were, to do the work that you have poured your heart, body and soul into since then. Ask the Holy Spirit to minister to you right now as only he can. Then borrow Paul’s lenses for a moment. Can you say: the things which have happened to me have really served to advance the gospel? If so, you have not lost your way at all, and he who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. Be encouraged and take another step forward.

And by the way, it is time for a medical check-up and increased rest. Many people, especially those in ministry, are often guilty of self-neglect. Exhaustion and discouragement are evil twins.