Philippians 1:12-14 NIV
[12] “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. [13] As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. [14] And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”

Paul was indomitable! How could he view his imprisonment as a good thing when being locked up in prison was close to the worst that could happen to him? How could he fulfil his ministry to the Gentiles across the whole Roman empire when he was incarcerated in jail?

Paul saw his circumstances differently. They could restrict his body but they could not shut his mouth. No matter where he was or who came in contact with him, he used the opportunity to share the message of Jesus with them and to testify to the reason for his imprisonment.

Paul’s whole life was about Jesus. He did everything in, through, and for Jesus. A prison cell was as good a place as a palace, as far as he was concerned, in which to live his life and to share his faith in Jesus.

Now, imagine the impact he would have on the Roman soldiers who were in and out of the jail every day as well as on his fellow prisoners who were near enough to hear him. Did Paul complain about the unfairness of his imprisonment? Was he angry and bitter about his circumstances? Not if we go back to the story of his imprisonment, together with Silas, recorded in Acts 16. After being treated like dangerous criminals, lockrd up and in the stocks, these two faithful ministers of Jesus sang and prayed their way through their pain.

Acts 16:23-25 NIV
[23] “After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. [24] When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. [25] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

…and the outcome was miraculous!

Acts of the Apostles 16:26 NLT
[26]” Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”

Paul’s unconquerable spirit led him to view his cell as a pulpit from which to preach the gospel of Jesus….and it worked! His story and his message spread like wildfire throughout the prison among prisoners and guards alike. And Paul was elated!

Not only was Paul’s own ministry effective where he was but other believers also, emboldened and spurred on by his example, began to share Jesus as well.

With this attitude, Paul became a partner, not an enemy, of his own circumstances. He would never allow where he was to hinder his work for the Lord. In actual fact, how would he ever have penetrated the palace itself, through the guard, with the gospel, had he not been a prisoner?

Paul embraced his circumstances with the confidence that Jesus was the Master of his life. Nothing could ever happen to him that did not pass the test of Christ’s love and His will.

In his letter to the Roman church, he penned the words that were a part of his life philosophy…

Romans 8:28 NLT
[28] “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

What an outlook to adopt in the worst of circumstances! Paul’s attitude powerfully enhanced his message. His joyful spirit was a witness to a life unfazed by hardship and difficulty because Christ was in him, providing grace and peace beyond explanation.

Paul, then, valued the parnership of his fellow believers at Philippi, both in their care and prayers for him, and the partnerdhip of the Holy Spirit through their prayers for him, but he also recognised the opportunity to partner with his circumstances. His imprisonment was enhancing, not hindering the spread of the gospel in a place he didn’t imagine possible, a jail cell in the emperor’s palace!

What if we, too, would adopt Paul’s way of viewing life? What if we used every circumstance, good or bad, as an opportunity to trust God, to advance His calling on our lives,
and to glorify Him by our faithfulness no matter what?

No only would we have a positive impact on those around us but we would also encourage others to do the same.