About this episode
“This is our day to shine.” Not tomorrow, not in easier circumstances, not when life finally evens out. Today. But the temptation is to believe that it would be easier to shine if life was a bit easier. Paul talks about that temptation in Philippians 1:27: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Whatever happens (good or bad, easy or hard, expected or surprising) Paul is saying that shining in the light of Christ is not about the absence of pain. It is about the presence of meaning. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT US at 855-888-0444 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text BECOME to 855-888-0444 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music in this episode: Starry Dream - Uptempo by A. Blomqvist MB01OKHAB5EAUXF 00:00 — How do you shine when life is hard? 00:26 — Does more suffering mean less joy? 01:09 — What does “whatever happens” mean in Philippians? 02:10 — How do you live worthy of the gospel of Christ? 03:02 — What does it mean to stand firm in one Spirit? 03:30 — How to face opposition without fear 04:20 — Why does God “grant” both faith and suffering? 05:07 — “Life is difficult”: what should Christians do? 06:45 — Why complaining and grumbling steal your joy 07:23 — Should I fix problems or just suffer for Jesus? 08:27 — Meaning vs. suffering: which shapes your life? 09:15 — The Quadrant of Suffering and Meaning explained 10:24 — Why great lives hold both suffering and purpose 11:36 — How to pray when suffering won’t stop (“drink the cup”) 12:16 — How God gives meaning to our pain 12:58 — Whatever happens, live worthy of the gospel