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As Paul faced his court trial in Rome, he was held under horrible conditions (see Philippians 1:13-14). He was guarded around the clock by soldiers of the Praetorian guard, his feet chained to a soldier on either side. These men were crude, hardened, cursing frequently. Theyd seen it all, and to them in their line of work, every jailed man was a guilty criminal, including Paul.
Imagine the indignities Paul suffered in that situation. He had no time alone, not a single moment of freedom. Every visit from friends was closely monitored, with the guards probably ridiculing Pauls conversations. It would have been so easy for that godly mans dignity to be totally stripped away under that kind of treatment.
Think about it: Here was a man who had been very active, loving to travel the open road and high seas to meet and fellowship with Gods people. Paul drew his greatest joy from visiting the churches he had established throughout that region of the world. But now he was chained down, literally bound to the hardest, most profane men alive.
Paul had two options in his situation. He could spin out into a morbid, sour mood, asking the same self-centered question over and over: Why me? He could crawl into a pit of despair, reasoning himself into a hopeless depression, completely consumed with the thought, Here I am bound up, with my ministry shut down, while others out there enjoy a harvest of souls. Why?
Instead, Paul chose to ask, How is my present situation going to bring glory to Christ? How can great good come out of my trial? This servant of God made up his mind: I cant change my condition. I could very well die in this state. Yet, I know my steps are ordered by the Lord. Therefore Im going to magnify Christ and be a testimony to the world while Im in these chains. Now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death (Philippians 1:20).
Pauls attitude demonstrates the only way we can be emancipated from our dark pit of unhappiness and worry. You see, its possible to waste all our tomorrows anxiously waiting to be delivered out of our suffering. If that becomes our focus, well totally miss the miracle and joy of being emancipated in our trial.
Consider Pauls statement: I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel (Philippians 1:12). Paul is saying, Dont pity me or think Im discouraged over my future. And please dont say my work is finished. Yes, Im in chains and suffering, but the gospel is being preached through it all.
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