Paul teaches us that we should value knowing God over a life we consider comfortable in Philippians 3:8. This includes things and relationships.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain
We can learn a lot from Paul’s life. He valued God above everything else. He welcomed loss if it meant gaining favor with God. Paul’s teachings did not earn him many friends. There were many that hated Paul for his words. The church of Philippi was addressed many times by Paul for placing value on worldly comforts.
We often remember friends lost on the journey. Sometimes the loss was because of a difference of beliefs or different seasons of life. Our lives can feel lonely when you don’t have a regular text buddy, prayer partner, or physical confidant.
Paul found comfort in God because he let love prevail. He loved God and God’s people. Paul teaches us how to keep loving…even when it hurts. We encourage ourselves in the Lord as David did in I Samuel 30:6.
Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
Paul is much like David when he encouraged himself in the Lord. Our God is the source of all comfort, an embrace to an injured soul, and the remedy to a sickened heart. We all feel discouraged at some point in our lives. The weight of loss is very heavy, but God told us to give Him all our cares. He has better in store for us!
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for every challenge you have placed in our lives. We trust you, Lord, that every challenge will only make us stronger. Help us to focus on the gain behind the loss. We can and will overcome each challenging season in our lives. All that You have in store for us will come at the ordained time. Guide our decisions and comfort us in the waiting. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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