Finding Joy: Paul’s Encouraging Message to the Philippians

We can all use a little more joy in our lives.

But how can we find joy in a world where so many bad things happen?

When you want to learn to do something well, it is always best to consult with someone who has a proven track record of doing it successfully. So who better to ask about maintaining joy through hardship than the man who has been there and done that? When it comes to finding joy in difficult circumstances, the apostle Paul is an unrivaled expert! He and his missionary coworker, Silas, are renowned for singing in a Philippian jail with their backs bruised and bleeding from being flogged and their feet securely fastened in stocks. More than 10 years later, we find Paul writing from a different prison, but his heart is still with the believers in Philippi. Surprisingly, the prisoner is compelled by the Spirit to encourage those who are free!

Despite Paul’s circumstances, joy is a central theme in his short letter to the Christians of Philippi. Read the letter, follow the commentary, and discover the secret of finding joy.