The Apostle Paul writes these words from a prison cell, waiting his possible execution.
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, – Philippians 1:21-25 (NIV)
Paul sees victory around every corner. A victorious spirit can find the good in the worst situation.
An optimist sees the best in the world, while a pessimist (a non-optimist) sees only the worst. An optimist finds the positive in the negative, and a pessimist can only find the negative in the positive.
An avid duck hunter was in the market for a new bird dog. His search ended when he found a dog that could actually walk on water to retrieve a duck. Shocked by his find, he was sure none of his friends would ever believe him. He decided to try to break the news to a friend of his, a
Pessimist by nature, and invited him to hunt with him and his new dog.
As they waited by the shore, a flock of ducks flew by. They fired, and a duck fell. The dog responded and jumped into the water. The dog, however, did not sink, but instead walked across the water to retrieve the bird, never getting more than his paws wet.
The friend saw everything but did not say a single word.
On the drive home the hunter asked his friend, “Did you notice anything unusual about my new dog?”
“I sure did,” responded his friend. “He can’t swim.”
The apostle Paul wrote many of his epistles from prison. If his ministry was evaluated today, it certainly would not have been considered to be one of a Christian celebrity. People were not signing up for his monthly publication or wanting to travel with him. Doing a trip with the apostle Paul meant beatings, imprisonment, rejection, as well as some powerful experiences where God’s Holy Spirit did miracles. Paul, however, maintained the indomitable attitude of a winner, a victorious spirit. I love it!
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. – 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NIV)
Having this winning attitude comes with a price. You must “run in such a way as to get the prize.” If there was anyone who could bemoan what he was “going through” it was this man. But instead he challenges those he writes to, to push forward even more. Even while in prison Paul writes that he is going to rejoice and they/we should too. He really hammers it away. “Hey, if I can cheer up in prison, so can you!”
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. – Philippians 2:17-18 (NASB95)
When things around me look bad and each day is one more set of problems, reading these words gives me heavenly strength. I thank God for someone who displayed this kind of attitude and can help us when we feel weak.
Praise God that He makes a way for us where there is no way. Let’s take this great example and live for God right in the midst of a dark world. Let’s be lights in the midst of the darkness. Let’s be those people who say by our attitudes-How great is our God!