Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Encourage Your Friends

Loneliness, fear, and depression are all on the rise. Though we enjoy the benefits of the internet, many feel more isolated than ever. God created us for relationships both with Himself and others. We need friends. One of the secrets that Paul taught us about friendships and community is the power of affirming others.

Paul was sitting in jail when he wrote his friends living in Philippi. That doesn’t sound very fun to me! Yet, Paul was filled with joy even while in chains. One of the secrets to Paul’s joy was his ability to affirm his friends. Paul wrote that He thanked God every time he remembered them (Philippians 1:3), praised them for being great partners in his ministry (Philippians 1:4), and reassured them that he felt confident in them(Philippians 1:6). As a result of affirming others Paul had many friends.

May I ask you, when was the last time you affirmed one of your friends for a quality you admired in them? By using our words to highlight what is admirable in others, we serve as a refreshing friend to those around us. The Old Testament writer Solomon wrote, “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up” (Proverbs 12:25). Words indeed have power, and when we use them to encourage others, we are encouraged and end up experiencing more joy. Why don’t you give affirmation a try today? Think of a friend and send a text message, or give them a call or write a note and affirm at least one quality that you appreciate about them. The enemy of our souls lives to accuse. Let your voice of affirmation be louder than the voice of the accuser.

Pause and Reflect:

Think about the last time someone affirmed you for a quality they saw in your life. How did that make you feel? How might you encourage someone today?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You that You have designed me for relationships. Thank You that You have given me the ability to affirm others. Help me to remember today to use my words to encourage others.

Scripture: Philippians 2:5

Put on Humility

Did you know that the humble are happier than those who are not? I know, right? It might feel surprising, but it’s true. Do you want more happiness in your life? Strive to be humble. Research shows that humble people enjoy deeper relationships because they are generous, forgiving, and more accepting of others. As a result, they live happier lives.

Humility is being at peace with yourself and understanding your strengths and weaknesses so you have nothing to prove. Jesus is the best demonstration of humility. Despite having all the privileges of heaven and all the power that comes from being God, He chose to come to earth and limit his power by inhabiting a human body. Jesus did not need to keep grasping at the power of the Father because He knew who He was. Instead, He chose the path of humility by embracing the cross and dying the most excruciating and humbling death known to man. What an example!

In your life and mine, living in a world that continually calls us to be more and do more, Jesus calls us to embrace our limits and be humble. When we follow in obedience, let go of the need to be more, and instead humbly accept who He calls us to be, we experience greater joy than we ever thought possible. In the end, we live happier lives.

Pause and Reflect:

Who in your life exemplifies humility? How does that impact their relationships?

Pray

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for setting the perfect example of humility for me. Help me honestly view myself today, accepting both my strengths and weaknesses. Surround me with peace as a process and help me to let go of continually striving to be more.

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15

Let Go of Grumbling and Complaining

The weather in Colorado Springs, where I live, can be wonky. Most of the time, the skies are brilliant blue. However, we get Spring snow showers, which truthfully feels wrong to me. When it’s the middle of April and May, and I look out my window expecting to see flowers and see flurries instead, I groan and grumble. But, truthfully, that’s not helping me live a life of joy.

Paul instructed the Philippians to stop grumbling. Now let me be clear. Grumbling is not the same as grieving. Grieving is when we are processing sorrow and sadness. We know that grieving is part of God’s plan for us because Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4). Grumbling is different. It’s complaining when things don’t go our way. It’s griping because we feel we’re entitled to something different. Grumbling and griping ruin our ability to shine in a dark world for Jesus. The world looks on at grumpy Christians who complain continually and wonder, “Why would I want to be like them?”

Instead of complaining, try gratitude. When you feel like complaining because the weather is bad, the car line is too long, your friend is running late for lunch, or you can’t find a parking space, remember, the world doesn’t revolve around you. Instead, thank God for His creative power exemplified in the changing weather, thank Him that you have a car, and thank Him for friends. The more you thank Him, the more joy you will experience.

Pause and Reflect:

What do you most often complain and grumble about? How might cultivating a heart of gratitude help erase the attitude of entitlement in your life?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for all the good gifts You give me. Thank You that You take care of my every need. Holy Spirit, would you remind me to cultivate gratitude when tempted to grumble or complain?

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-11

Center Your Life On Christ

While visiting Lake Tahoe in California, I was struck by the words on a travel brochure that read, “Life here centers around the lake.” It described the pristine beauty of the lake as a precious jewel. The brochure reminded me of Jesus. If there were a brochure summarizing my life, I would want it to state that I center my life around Jesus and strive to reflect His beauty, majesty, and power in everything I do.

Often, we succumb to centering our lives on our careers, spouse, kids, or many other things. Our hearts were designed to prioritize one thing – developing an intimate relationship with Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote that his life pursuit was “to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10). He even wanted to understand the suffering of Christ more deeply. Shocking! It wasn’t as though Paul wanted more information about Christ. He wanted a deeper connection with Christ. When we focus on connecting more deeply with Christ and making Him the center of our lives, joy is the outcome. Every other relationship will flow out of that secure center where we are fully loved and known. We can love others out of the overflow of that secure place of belonging and enjoy deeper connections and a richer community.

Pause and Reflect:

What most often distracts you from the pursuit of knowing Christ more intimately? How might you shift your priorities so that Christ becomes front and center in your life?

Pray:

I confess, Lord Jesus, that I often prioritize and center my life on things other than You. Honestly, at times, I don’t know how to prioritize my relationship with You. Show me today what it looks like to keep you front and center. Remind me often to return my thoughts to You and to speak with You in prayer throughout my day.

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Choose the Pathway to Peace

Research tells us that anxiety is on the rise. We’ve probably all felt anxious in recent years because of the uncertainty that has surrounded us. Here’s the thing, anxiety robs our joy. We don’t want that, but we are often unsure of how to overcome those worrisome feelings.

Often when we feel anxious, we end up feeling guilty. But, friend, our guilt isn’t helping us. It’s only creating more anxiety. Instead, we need a plan to quiet our anxiety and find peace.

The Apostle Paul was no stranger to anxiety. He wrote, “Therefore I am all the more eager to send him (Epaphroditus) so that when you see him again, you may be glad and I may have less anxiety” (Philippians 2:28). Later in his letter, Paul gave the Philippian believers a plan that he had used to find peace. He wrote that they were not to “be anxious about anything.” In the Greek language in which Paul was writing, the implication is, don’t continue being anxious. In other words, when anxious feelings come, have a plan to quiet them. Paul‘s approach was to pour out his heart in prayer and then switch his focus to praise and thanksgiving. As Paul shifted his focus to what was true, noble, lovely, and admirable about God, the Holy Spirit gave Him peace.

The great thing is that peace is available to you and me today. We can work the same plan when anxious thoughts threaten our joy. We can pour our hearts into prayer and then shift our focus to God’s good and almighty character. As we praise Him, He will quiet our anxious hearts and give us peace.

Pause and Reflect:

What most often causes you anxiety? What time of day do your anxious thoughts most often come?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You that You promise me peace. You promise that as I shift my focus to Your goodness, You will calm the anxious thoughts that pummel my thinking and grant me peace. Holy One, I confess, I need peace now more than ever. Teach me to shift my focus from all uncertainties to Your Almighty nature. You are the one who is holy, good, righteous, loving, and kind. Teach me to trust You.