Philippians 1:12, ‘But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel’.
The life of Apostle Paul demonstrates that what the devil means for evil, God means for good (Genesis 50:20). Although he was in prison for sake of the Gospel, his heart was not imprisoned. In the natural, if there’s anyone who you may consider to be justified in harbouring bitterness towards God and others, it would be Apostle Paul because he was doing what is right in proclaiming the Gospel yet because of that, he was in chains. However, his chains were for his promotion and for the advancement of the Gospel. His chains fanned the flames of the spread of the Gospel.
Because Apostle Paul never lowered his shield of faith, that attack from the enemy was just on the surface; it didn’t penetrate his heart. He knew that, if God had permitted him to face it, He will promote him through it.
Furthermore, Scripture tells us, in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, that God permitted him to have a thorn in his flesh but it was never a thorn in his spirit. This thorn was in the flesh but it did not hinder his spiritual service, his assignment from above or stop him from doing what God had destined him to do.
In the face of promotion, is there room for grumbling, lamenting, worrying, seeing God in a bad light or questioning His sovereignty? No! In the midst of our challenges, our trials in the flesh, don’t give up or get discouraged! If God permits you to face it, He will prepare you for it, He will give you peace in the midst of it, and He will promote you through it.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You that as I turn to You in faith, You are turning my mess into a message, You are providing peace in the midst of my problems and are promoting me through them. In Jesus’ name, amen.