What Will You Make of Your Circumstances?

by David Rollert

Have you ever thought about how we all live in circumstances? That may sound rather obvious, but so often we blame circumstances for our attitude, our sin, or our lack of involvement with the church. We could fill a book with the circumstance-based excuses people make. However, the plain fact is that we all live in circumstances, and everyone’s circumstances are challenging in their own way. If we all used our challenging circumstances as excuses, then the church would evaporate, and the devil would win.

Does that mean we should ignore our difficult circumstances and pretend everything is easy? No, that is obviously not realistic. We can, however, look to the example of those who have faced debilitating circumstances and handled them righteously. Consider Paul: when He wrote the letter to the church in Philippi, he was in prison in Rome. He had been arrested on false charges in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-40). His enemies plotted to murder him (Acts 23:12-22). Felix held him in prison for two years, hoping Paul would bribe him for his freedom (Acts 24:26-27). Paul’s hearings were unfair and unjust, so he appealed to be sent before Caesar (Acts 25-26). On the way to Rome, Paul was shipwrecked and bitten by a poisonous snake (Acts 27:1-28:10). When they finally reached Rome, Paul was again imprisoned while he waited for his hearing before the emperor.

Can we say that our circumstances are harder or worse than Paul’s? Yet, he says: “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” (Philippians 1:12-14 NASB)

Paul did not use his circumstances as an excuse for wrongdoing. Instead, he served God in the difficult circumstances. We can learn some valuable lessons from Paul’s example. Consider the following:

1. Sometimes our circumstances provide opportunities to share our faith that we would not have otherwise.

2. The attitude with which we face our circumstances can help others overcome their challenges.

3. By overcoming difficult circumstances with a godly attitude, we can strengthen our faith and the faith of those around us.

Rather than viewing your circumstances as reasons to avoid serving God and His church, see your circumstances as opportunities to serve Him and His church in whatever way the moment brings.