DAY SEVEN: Monday
20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.
23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,
26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Phil. 1:20-26 ESV)
Remember this: it doesn’t matter what happens to you–it only matters what happens through you.
A lot of tough and trying things will happen to you. A trusted friend will stab you in the back. Someone who walked into your life and your heart will walk out the door. You’ll lose a job. You’ll lose your way. You won’t reach a goal. You will reach the bottom.
But it doesn’t matter what happens to you. It only matters what happens through you.
You don’t have a choice about what happens to you. But you do have a choice about what happens through you. You can’t always change what happens. But you can choose how you react to what happens. In every situation you have a choice for my son to be honored in your reaction.
You are not an unthinking animal. You don’t have to live by the law of action-reaction. Every time there’s an action in your life you have the power to pause and consider your reaction. Your fuse doesn’t have to be short. You don’t have to automatically say what’s on your mind. You don’t have to hit back when hit hard. I’ve given you the amazing ability to prayerfully consider how to respond before you respond.
And when you use that special power, here’s what can happen through you. People can see you respond to hatred with forgiveness. And Jesus will be honored. People can see you react to challenges with cheer. And Jesus will be honored. People can witness you holding on to faith when there seems to be every reason for letting go. And Jesus will be honored. People can observe you giving into a culture used to grabbing. And Jesus will be honored.
Stop stressing about what’s happening to you. And start celebrating what can happen through you. Jesus can be lifted up through you today. Jesus can be exalted through you today. People will see Jesus through you in a way they’ve never seen him before.
With Love,
Father
