Seeing Obstacles as Opportunities; Simplified English Lesson based on Philippians 1: 12-20

‘discourage’ = remove courage; ‘encourage’ = add courage

Do you know someone who was in a terrible situation (maybe sick, or in a war, or in a bad family, or with no family, or in a bad job), but instead of getting discouraged, they encouraged others?

Paul was not discouraged. Seeing obstacles as opportunities changed how he felt.

… I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…                           

                                                                                            Phil 1:12

The writer, Paul, was in prison, but he was not discouraged. He wrote a letter to the church to encourage them.

… what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…         

… so that it (the gospel)  has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.                                                 Phil 1:13-14

Paul said that his imprisonment advanced the gospel. It helped spread the good news of Jesus because he told his guards about Jesus.

His church brothers were encouraged. Paul was not discouraged, so they were not discouraged either. They were not afraid to tell people about Jesus.

Don’t be discouraged by those who oppose you.

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.                                                                                                                                                            Phil. 1:15-17

Some Christians didn’t like Paul. Some people envied Paul because people loved him. They were jealous of him. They preached about Jesus because they wanted to compete with Paul.

Other Christians spread the gospel because of love. They did it with ‘good will’.

“What then?” He writes, “Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.” Paul didn’t care why people spread the gospel. He was glad because they told people about Jesus.

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.                                                                                                                 Philippians 1:19–20

Paul rejoiced. He was happy. Why? Because people prayed for him, and the Spirit of Jesus helped him. He knew he would be delivered from prison. He expected not to be ashamed. Paul had courage that Christ would be honored either by his life or by his death.

Can you start seeing obstacles as opportunities? How can you encourage people even when you have obstacles?

“Look for opportunities to share the gospel, instead of the obstacles that prevent you from sharing your faith.  Don’t become overwhelmed by the difficulties you encounter or become angry or vindictive when you experience opposition.” –quote by Pastor Wayne Snider

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