Resilient Joy in Uncertainty
For Meditation (Ed Satterfield)
Uncertainty is a place we live much of life. As much as we would like to be able to know what is going on in our lives and where life will take us, we are often in the dark. For many of us, we don’t know how our health will be tomorrow, or whether the steps being taken for remedies will yield healing results. Some of us are dealing with trouble in our relationships and are not sure if we will see healing and improvement at all. Some want children and are working hard to make that possible but wait not knowing if that gift might be given. Others are wondering if they might be laid off from work; or are uncertain if those recent interviews will result in a job offer.
We usually don’t manage uncertainty very well. Some of us just want to escape it by denial or diversion. Or we work really hard to control everything we can, hoping we can solve it or manage to make it better. Some of us find ourselves immobilized and wearied by it all. We may fixate on the dilemma and find ourselves experiencing great anxiety or anger. None of our attempts really do anything but compound the problems the uncertainty brings.
Paul finds himself in great uncertainty. In prison, he does not know what will happen to him. Will he be released to continue his mission of sharing the gospel and starting churches? Will he remain in prison for a long time? Will he be sentenced to death? Yet, in this passage, we find Paul continually rejoicing. How can he feel joy while in the middle of life-threatening circumstances?
Paul is anchored by two of the pillars of resilient joy that Corey shared the first week of our study that help provide resilient joy. Paul is very clear on his purpose and his hope. His purpose to share the gospel of Jesus with everyone he can, wherever he can, while now limited by his imprisonment, is still happening despite his circumstances. As he explores all the possibilities of what may happen to him, he sees ways that the gospel is advancing in each scenario. He has joy in seeing that his purpose in life is happening even in the face of adversity.
Paul also knows his future destiny with certainty, even though his life knows nothing but uncertainty. Whatever the outcome, Paul knows what will happen to him. If he dies, he knows his future will be better than anything in this life. He will be with the Lord, free and whole for eternity. He feels deep joy anticipating that perfect and lasting joy that awaits him.
This Sunday, we will explore how we might anchor ourselves more fully in these pillars of purpose and hope.
Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
1. What is your typical response to uncertainty?
2. How does Paul’s sense of purpose help him endure the seeming end of that purpose?
3. What are the ingredients of Paul’s hope? How can he see death as “better by far?” See Philippians 3:7-14.
4. What patterns in your personality and thinking process keep you trusting something else as “better by far” than what Jesus provides?
Philippians 1:18-26
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.