These verses have been and remain a comfort to countless people. It comes in the context of the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi – in part an encouragement to continue to mature as Christians, marked out by continuing to show selfless love to God and one another.
What is so helpful about these verses is that they are so honest. They don’t promise you’ll always be rich, or loved by others, or that life will be easy. They do however promise that we can find contentment – peace and reassurance – whatever life throws at us. In any and every situation, God is with you. He is ready and willing to give you the strength to endure and press on.
Please note – I’m not saying Christians should always be smiling – of course there are times for joy and times for mourning (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). There are things that grieve our hearts and knock us down – but Paul would encourage us that whatever the situation, God will provide you with all that you need to get through it – and always with the bright light at the end of the tunnel that what we are pressing on toward is going to put a smile on your face that nothing can take away.
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