Good morning sign posts to God

Philippians 1:12-14 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 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.

Everything in our lives should be filtered through the question “Is what I am doing advancing the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ?”

Many times when we go through challenges, our focus is totally on the natural realm. We think about our feelings and emotions. We think about human relationships and the affects of our circumstances on them. We think about what will or will not happen to us as a result of what is happening. Our thoughts are often inward. This is a natural response but I wonder if it is the best response.

Paul is once again in chains, and not for doing something wrong, but rather because of his strong faith and boldness in Jesus Christ. In this place of intense difficulty and pain, Paul’s main concern was “What is this doing to the gospel of Christ?” Upon honest analysis, Paul was able to say that what had happened to him had really served to advance the gospel. This could only happen as Paul responded in a God-honouring way even in the midst of much suffering. Paul could only respond right because his focus was right, “How will this affect the gospel of Jesus Christ?”

I need to learn from this. I need to improve in this. It is far too easy for me to become inward focused through the storms of life. I’m asking God to help me make this question my focus. I pray you will join me.