Philippians 1:9-11. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
To the eyes of the world, God’s people may appear to have very little. Yet in Christ, they possess everything that truly matters (2 Corinthians 6:10). Joseph seemed to have nothing. He was rejected by his brothers, sold as a slave, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. Nevertheless, he possessed everything because God was with him. Scripture declares, “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered” (Genesis 39:2). Through Joseph’s life, God revealed His glory in Egypt and preserved countless lives during a time of famine.
The same principle remains true today. When you are led by the Spirit of God, you can experience victory in every circumstance of life. God can use your life to save and bless many people through the power of the gospel. That is why our Lord Jesus taught us to pray:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).
As believers, we have been given the incredible privilege of participating in God’s will through prayer:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
But how do we discover God’s will in the midst of problems, disappointments, and challenges? How do we distinguish between what is merely good and what is best?
The first step is to view every situation through the lens of the gospel. Problems may arise because of our own mistakes, the actions of others, or circumstances beyond anyone’s control. Yet regardless of the cause, we must believe that God remains sovereign and that His purpose will ultimately prevail.
Our heavenly Father is good. He is actively working in all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Even our failures cannot cancel His plans. God often uses our mistakes to humble us, teach us wisdom, deepen our dependence on Him, and shape us into the image of Christ.
Therefore, do not become trapped by your problems. Do not waste your energy making excuses or blaming others. Refuse to let Satan use your circumstances to discourage or accuse you. Instead, allow every challenge to become a stepping stone toward greater faith and greater usefulness in God’s kingdom.
In time, you will discover that God has transformed what seemed like a curse into a blessing. Consider David. Throughout his life, he faced danger, betrayal, and relentless opposition. King Saul pursued him for approximately fifteen years, seeking to take his life out of jealousy and fear.
On one occasion, David had a perfect opportunity to kill Saul. One of his companions urged him to seize the moment. Yet David refused, saying, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” (1 Samuel 26:9).
David saw beyond the immediate opportunity. He recognized God’s authority and timing. His concern was not personal revenge but God’s honor. Even after Saul died in battle against the Philistines, David mourned, wept, and fasted for him (2 Samuel 1:11-12).
David possessed spiritual discernment. He knew how to choose what was best rather than what was merely convenient. It is no surprise that God described him as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22).
Joseph demonstrated the same discernment. Humanly speaking, he had every reason to seek revenge against his brothers. Yet he chose forgiveness because he understood God’s greater purpose. He told them:
“And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Genesis 45:5).
Joseph looked beyond human actions and recognized God’s sovereign hand. He saw not merely what people had done to him, but what God was doing through him.
The Apostle Paul also viewed his circumstances through the gospel. Imprisonment could have appeared to be a devastating setback. Instead, Paul recognized it as a strategic opportunity for the advancement of God’s kingdom. He wrote:
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually 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. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14).
What others considered a prison, Paul considered a mission field. Before reacting to your present circumstances, pause and seek God’s perspective. Ask Him what He desires to accomplish through the situation. Consider which response would most glorify Christ and advance the gospel.
Paul constantly faced danger from people (2 Corinthians 11:26). Yet he was not controlled by fear because he understood the spiritual condition of humanity. He knew that God’s redemptive purpose was greater than any opposition he encountered.
To encourage the believers in Philippi, Paul pointed them to the ultimate example of obedience and surrender—Jesus Christ:
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11).
The cross appeared to be a tragedy, but it became the greatest victory in history. What seemed like defeat became the means of salvation for the world. Therefore, do not fear people or problems. Trust in the One who has overcome the world (John 16:33).
Paul also evaluated the world itself through the lens of Christ:
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ” (Php 3:7-8).
This gospel-centered perspective enabled Paul to discern what was truly important. He was not captivated by temporary gains because his eyes were fixed on eternal realities. He understood that the greatest treasure is not wealth, status, power, or recognition, but a deep and growing relationship with Christ.
The same principle applies to us today. When the world becomes too large in our eyes, God becomes small. When our hearts are consumed with the pursuit of earthly things, it becomes difficult to recognize God’s will. We lose sight of what is eternal and become preoccupied with what is temporary. As a result, we struggle to discern what is best.
However, when Christ becomes our greatest treasure, everything else falls into its proper place. We begin to view our circumstances, opportunities, relationships, and challenges through the lens of God’s kingdom. We become less concerned with personal gain and more concerned with God’s purpose.
Because Paul viewed life through the gospel, he was able to remain content regardless of his circumstances. His joy was not dependent on comfort, success, or favorable conditions. His strength came from Christ alone. He testified:
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Php 4:12-13).
Remember, every problem is an opportunity to focus more deeply on Christ and His kingdom. What may appear to be an obstacle is often God’s invitation to draw nearer to Him, discover His purpose, and experience His power. Rather than allowing difficulties to distract you from God, let them drive you to Him.
Challenges have a way of revealing where our trust truly lies. They expose our weaknesses, humble our hearts, and remind us of our need for God’s grace. When viewed through the lens of the gospel, problems are no longer merely burdens to endure but opportunities to experience God’s faithfulness and witness His work in our lives.
This is why every difficulty should lead us to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit. We need God’s wisdom more than our own understanding, His strength more than our own abilities, and His guidance more than our own plans. As we depend on Him, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see what God is doing beyond the visible circumstances and enables us to discern what is truly best.
May God fill you with His Spirit and grant you wisdom from above so that you may recognize His will, walk in His ways, and glorify Him in every circumstance. May He help you see every challenge as an opportunity for the advancement of the gospel and the growth of His kingdom.
Prayer. Father, open my eyes to see my present circumstances through the lens of the gospel. Help me to trust that You are working all things together for good according to Your perfect will. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and grant me wisdom from above so that I may discern what is best. Give me the faith to focus on Christ rather than my problems, and on Your kingdom rather than the temporary concerns of this world. May every challenge draw me closer to You and become an opportunity for Your glory to be revealed. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.