(The following is the September 2 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Philippians 1 and pay close attention to verses 12-20.)

How Christians handle difficult circumstances can impact others’ faith. If we claim to know Christ, yet we fall to pieces emotionally when bad things happen, our actions suggest less confidence in Christ than we claim. On the other hand, our testimony is positive if we handle hardships with the calm assurance of God’s goodness and sovereignty.

Paul wrote Philippians while jailed in Rome. He had endured much and still had more to face, including martyrdom. Yet, he said, “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ. Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly” (vv. 12-14). Paul’s handling of adversity strengthened others’ faith and boldness. His trust in Christ didn’t waiver based on outward circumstances.

We may not be imprisoned for our faith, but we will face trials. How will we handle them? John Piper writes about how we should face cancer should we receive that diagnosis: “We waste our cancer if we fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.”[57] Easy? No. Powerful? Absolutely.

Whether our adversity is illness, persecution, or anything else, it is an opportunity for our faith to shine before others, strengthening fellow believers and giving glory to God.

Next Step:
Reflect on difficult situations you have faced. How has your response to them shown faith in Christ and encouraged others? What similar positive examples of this have you witnessed in other believers?