Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. Philippians 1:12
Things that appear to be bad happen to people on a regular basis. Questions always arise as to why bad things occur to good people. These types of questions arise with both believers and non-believers.
A person who has been generous with his time and money all of his life, suddenly gets cancer. A person who has always been kind and generous loses his job and house. A generous and serving person ends up in a major life-changing accident. In each of these people are always asking why did it happen.
None of these things has anything to do with whether a person is a believer or not.
Add all of those things to a believer and a believer must deal with more events. A strong believer, who is a constant witness for Jesus, who runs from all sin, is suddenly put in prison, or is fired because of his belief. Or the believer is put through a lot of problems and harassment because of his belief in Jesus.
Paul had a major event in his life. He had been faithful to God in spreading the gospel message of Jesus. He never did any harm to anyone. Yet, he was put in prison. The Philippian church was wondering what had happened and why it occurred.
Paul used that time in prison to spread the gospel. He did fight back or get angry at the people or God for being in prison. He used that time there to be a witness to everyone in the prison, both prisoners and guards. As a result it spread the gospel message into a new area.
There will come times of major catastrophes in your life. It may mean major change in living, position, health, or many other areas. God does not always reveal why it happens, but one thing that can always occur because of it is the spreading of the gospel message.
That event may bring you to new people to tell about Jesus. Your actions and reactions to the situation will be a witness of your belief and trust in God.
Do not get discouraged or angry at God or the world. Use that event to help spread the gospel message to all the world. It can have an eternal purpose.
I pray today that you will know God is with you; that you will see events through the eyes of God; that you will use everything as an opportunity to be God’s witness; and that God will reach many people through you.
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