Reading the book of Philippians felt like breathing fresh
air. Every word lifted me. Encouraged me. Reminded me why I keep going. This
book is short—but it is powerful. It is my favorite for a reason. It gave me
hope all over again.
Paul wrote this from prison, and yet, joy pours off the
page. That alone stopped me. Because how do you write about joy when you are
locked up, when your future is uncertain, when your freedom is gone? Paul was
on house arrest and still managed to sound freer than most people I
know—including me.
He said, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” and I had to
sit with that. Always? Even when I am tired? Even when life feels unfair? Even
when I do not understand what God is doing? Yes. Because the kind of joy Paul
had was not tied to what was happening around him—it was rooted in who Jesus
is.
That spoke to me. Loudly. Because sometimes, I lose sight of
joy. I get wrapped up in the fight, the fatigue, the distractions. But Paul
said, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.”
That one verse alone has kept me going so many times. It reminded me that God
is not done with me. That I do not have to be perfect to be progressing.
Philippians also reminded me of the importance of mindset. “Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” Paul described how
Jesus emptied Himself and humbled Himself—even to death on a cross. And because
of that, God exalted Him. That flipped something in me. Sometimes I want
elevation without humility. I want the crown without the cross. But Philippians
reminded me that resilience starts in the mind. In choosing to think
differently. In choosing to serve, even when it is hard.
And then there is Philippians 3. Paul said he considered
everything a loss compared to knowing Christ. Everything. He had status,
education, reputation—but none of it mattered next to Jesus. That realignment
hit me hard. What am I clinging to that I need to let go of? What do I still
count as gain when it is really holding me back?
He talked about pressing on. About forgetting what is behind
and straining toward what is ahead. That felt personal. I needed that. Because
there are days when moving forward feels like a crawl. But this letter
whispered to me: “Do not quit. Keep pressing.”
Reading Philippians reminded me that joy is a choice. That
resilience is spiritual. That hope is not just a feeling—it is a promise. And
that no matter where I am or what I face, I can still say, “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.”
And I believe it. Still.