Hard Times: New Opportunities

Chuckle: "Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hairstylist you like."

Quote: "Blessed are those who can give without remembering, and take without forgetting." --Elizabeth Bibesco

"As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly" (Philippians 1:13-14 NIV).

Adversities bring new opportunities to share Christ. It is in times of trouble that our true Christianity becomes evident -- when our faith measures up to the test. Difficulties makes evident our faith, which should set us apart from those without Christ. Paul wrote in Romans 15:20, "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known." His arrest and imprisonment, to keep him from his mission, actually afforded him opportunity to continue it.

While he was in prison in Rome, "boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about Jesus Christ" (Acts 28:31). In Philippians 4:22, we can see how effective Paul was in spreading the gospel message. "All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar's household."

Often, while dealing with our own adversities, God provides opportunities to share the gospel with others. This truth was recently brought home to me in a personal way. While being treated for my own health problem, I was afforded the opportunity to witness and minister to a physician who was dealing with advanced cancer.

Adversities bring new opportunities to encourage others. "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly" (Philippians 1:14). I'm reminded of Peter and John, who had been threatened and warned by the religious rulers to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. They boldly said to them, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19).

Christians enduring hard times can serve as role models for less mature believers. Paul's imprisonment served as a catalyst for Roman believers to spring into action for the Lord. If he could continue preaching while in chains, surely they could do it in whatever circumstances they were facing.

In a time when persecution of Christians was increasing, the church at Rome was in dire need of encouragement. Paul's trouble and ensuing testimony gave them such encouragement. Could it be that your faithfulness to God during difficult times would serve as an encouragement for others to serve the Lord more faithfully? Someone has said, "A brook would lose its song if God removed all the rocks."

Love, Jerry & Dotse