Be The Difference
These are tough times.
We can’t watch sports, we can’t go to coffee shops with friends, we may not even be able to find a roll of toilet paper!
In times like these, how is it possible to be at ease?
Coronavirus has made our lives less than ideal. Media outlets have termed it things like “The Silent Killer” and “Global Pandemic”. Things that will keep you up at night. We see the death tolls going up every day while we sit in what feels like never ending house arrest. Fear, anxiety, stress, and worry are bound to creep in.
So what do we do? How do we combat it?
A guy by the name of Paul provides some helpful insight. He also faced a situation out of his control. He was imprisoned, confined to a jail cell, and stripped of his community. He couldn’t do any of the things he loved to do with the people he loved most.
Yet, somehow, he was able to be content in the face of adversity. He never seemed to complain or grumble. He didn’t become bitter and toss blame on others. He wasn’t angry or outraged at the politicians. He didn’t fault a country.
Those are all the natural responses. It’s what we would expect someone to do. It’s what most of us want to do or.. maybe are doing in these days we’re currently facing.
But Paul was different. He had a deep understanding that his circumstances were bigger than himself. He could see that work was still being done. He used his time wisely and didn’t let sitting in a jail cell stop him from accomplishing his goals, his mission, or his purpose. He used the time to write letters, pray, and trust that God’s work would continue despite his circumstances. He was content in whatever situation he was in.
And Philippians 1:12-14 tells us he also was able to influence others this way as well.
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 1:12–14.
Apparently living like this not only made him stronger, but also made him stand out. People saw something in him and it was magnetic. It gave others courage and boldness in a stressful time as well.
The verses show his ability to rise above his circumstances and influencing the imperial guard - probably somewhere around 9,000 men - as they started wondering how he was so full of life in the midst of his suffering in prison. His behavior in isolation and confinement was having an impact on people he never would have otherwise.
All because he believed that God was still at work despite what was happening in the world around him. He chose to see the good. He had confidence that all this was happening to serve a greater purpose.
So what can we learn from Paul?
There is a lot to be afraid of right now, but we need not fall victim to it. Like Paul, we can choose to believe God is still working. We can fix our eyes on Jesus and tap into strength that is not our own. We can write letters, pray, and hope for the best. We can actually influence those around us by being content. We can be difference makers by simply reminding ourselves to be at ease.
WE CAN BE DIFFERENT THROUGH CONTENTMENT.
There is hope beyond your circumstances. You just have to find it. Use this time wisely. Write a letter to a friend. FaceTime someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Turn down the news. Journal. Read a book.
While disappointment is inevitable, despair and hopelessness are not. If we shift our mindset off of the uncertain circumstances surrounding us and onto something greater (or perhaps, someone greater) we find purpose in the waiting, we can find joy and contentment. We can be at ease.
We wait in EAGER EXPECTATION and HOPE that *Coronavirus* will not win, but that Christ will be honored in life or death.
- Philippians 1:20 (My edit)