Maintaining Happiness During Trials

INTRODUCTION

One of the things we dread in life is facing trials and experiencing suffering.

When we are in the middle of these terrible times, we tend to think that we should be able to put on a smile and move forward.

Some have suggested that we fake it until we make it so that others THINK we are doing well during these times.

I know the ongoing saga of COVID has hit many people in a bad way.

As a follower of Jesus, if you feel down, sad, and exhausted by this stuff, I bet you also feel a sense of guilt because you are having a difficult time, whether COVID or some other trial or form of suffering.

I bet you feel guilt on top of everything else because you have been told that Christians are not supposed to be worn out, exhausted, stressed, or down.

In the series we are working through together, we have been exploring the concept of Being Happy.

Today, we pare that thought with maintaining happiness amid trials and suffering.

While suffering is not the dominant pattern of Philippians, it constitutes the church's primary historical context in Philippi and thus underlies much of the letter.

Opposition and suffering probably lie behind a further—seldom noted—major concept in the letter: Paul's repeated emphasis on the Christian's triumph in Christ.

Paul knew a thing or two concerning the subject.

Paul was in prison as he wrote this letter. Paul was also being dogged by people sniping at his character, along with dealing with people who were preaching the gospel with sinister motives.

I do not know about you, but I would imaging it would have been easy for Paul to through in the towel and go back to the old life given all his stresses.

So how does Paul cope with the trials and suffering of life?

Big Idea of the Message: Difficult circumstances become bearable if we keep Christ and his purpose as our focus.

Let's dig into our text together to find out.

We begin with Philippians 1:18-20.

Philippians 1:18–20 CSB

18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice 19 because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

SERMON

Maintaining happiness during suffering requires…

I. A focused mind.

When things seem to go sideways, how can one maintain happiness?

One of the things Paul did was he kept his mind focused on the big picture.

The people were concerned about the motives of some who were proclaiming Jesus.

All Paul cared about was that Christ was proclaimed.

In Paul’s eyes, the listened usually did not know the heart of the one proclaiming Christ, only the results.

Here is Paul, in prison, and what is important to him? Christ being proclaimed.

Some were preaching the gospel with bad intent; what did Paul focus his mind upon? Christ being proclaimed!

When we face difficulties or have faced them in the past, it is so easy to allow those things to scar us, sometimes to ruin our ability to have relationships with others.

We tend to focus on our situation or our circumstances to the point that we block out all other things; we block out what is truly important in life.

When I can keep my mind focused on what is essential, it makes it easier to get through the difficult times, the trials, and the suffering of life.

When we can keep our minds focused on what is essential, we can see that God can use anything and everything for His glory.

In verse 19 Paul is confident that his current trouble will not be his permanent trouble.

Paul knows that God has a job for him to do, so he is not sweating his time in prison; he knows God has more in store for him.

When you are in the middle of the storm, you have to know God is with you and that whatever your situation may be, that God can be glorified.

When you are going through troubles, where is your mind focused?

Verse 20, we see the phrase EAGER EXPECTATION, which gives us the picture of n intense look into the future, which turns its gaze away from everything else to fix it on the one object it desires.

How can I maintain happiness and joy through difficult times? I need to place my focus on the object of my desire.

My desire should be to please God and to glorify Him.

If I am all wrapped up in myself, then I will always be in turmoil within myself.

I will not consider other people and how I might negatively affect them by my attitude and actions.

When I lash out at people because I am inconvenienced, I do not give a lick about Christ at the time; I only care about myself!

Look at verse 20 again with me!

Philippians 1:20 CSB

20 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Paul will not be shamed into silence, nor will he not be ashamed about his conduct because he is seeking to glorify Jesus in ALL he does!

Let’s turn to verses 21-26

Philippians 1:21–26 CSB

21 For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. 23 I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.

Maintaining happiness during suffering requires…

II. A focused heart.

Verse 21 begins with the REASON for which Paul can keep his mind focused.

His soul aim in life is to honor and work for Jesus!

He is torn, he says to life is Christ, to die is gain.

What he means here is that as long as he lives, his life is about Jesus!

What is your life goal? Where is your heart focused?

Back in the day when I played football, baseball, basketball, was on the track team, on the wrestling team, and such, my heart was focused on not sitting on the bench!

I wanted to play every second of every game.

My hearts desire of playing caused me to work out, run, practice and to do all the things I could to be able to compete.

Today, my focus is on my health, so I have been able to do things that help me to be healthy.

What drives you today?

Where is your heart, no, I am not talking about what you tell people, where is your heart?

Are you SELF-CENTERED or CHRIST-CENTERED in your heart?

Paul says to die is gain in verse 21.

He is speaking of personal gain in part, he would get to be with Jesus, whom he met on the road to Damascus; however, he is mainly speaking of the gain Jesus will receive because Paul will be in line for a whole new word of service to Jesus when this life is over!

Romans 8:18 CSB

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

Paul realizes that in the end, God has work for him to do here, so he is willing to do that work so that more can be saved!

Paul’s heart is focused on glorifying and serving Jesus!

I think we all need to examine our hearts to see where they are focused.

It is easy to get off track at times.

God has a plan and a place for you! Is your heart focused on that calling?

I known men who have left he ministry or a church over a couple of people who would make it their mission to make the life of the minister miserable.

I have been blessed not to much of that nonsense, but when it has happened, I have to keep my heart focused on Christ

Let’s look at verses 27-30

Philippians 1:27–30 CSB

27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, 28 not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. 29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

Maintaining happiness during suffering requires…

III. A focused life.

When mind and heart are focused on serving and glorifying Jesus, the life will be focused on doing those things.

We are reminded that we are citizens of heaven, and our lives are to match that citizenship!

We are to live a life worthy of the GOSPEL!

Are we doing it? Is our conduct worthy, are our goals in life worthy. Is the way we treat others worthy of the gospel?

I am sorry to say at times mine is not.

What does a worthy life look like?

First of all it is marked by standing firm in one spirit!

The phrase STANDING FIRM is a military term that speaks of not giving up ground to the enemy!

Folks at Philippi could relate to this since the city was a military colony, much like we are here with Fort Huachuca!

We also have to stand firm in ONE SPIRIT, and that one SPIRIT is the Holy Spirit!

We are to stand firm in one accord!

We are to work hand in hand, contending TOGETHER for the FAITH OF THE GOSPEL!

We cannot allow ANYTHING TO tear down the unity. NOTHING!

Secondly, we cannot be frightened by our opponents!

The word FRIGHTENED is a word that was used to describe the terror of a startled horse that was about to stampede.

We cannot run from our opponents of the GOSPEL!

One of the reasons for that is the fact that when the facts of the gospel are examined, it shows the opponents of the gospel will end in destruction.

Where is the focus of your life?

Are you as passionate for Jesus as you are for other things in life?

CONCLUSION

Application Point: Maturity means being able to live with all kinds of emotions and still focus on Jesus.

We can maintain our happiness in trials when we place our focus in the right place!