What is the secret?

What is the secret to happiness?
Many times, happiness comes from being content.
When everything is going our way, we find joy.

But what about on the days when joy is hard to find?
Most days, we fall short...short on time, patience, money, strength.

In Philippians, we find Paul's secret to happiness...
"For I have learned to be content in all circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."~(4:11-13)


Paul found the secret to living a happy life came from the One who gave him strength. Strength to endure harsh conditions; even writing letters to encourage others, while imprisoned in chains. Chains which advanced the Gospel.


Although, most of us aren't physically chained, we are imprisoned.
Imprisoned by our grief, disappointment, jealousy, bitterness, addictions, love of money.
"Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." ~Philippians 3:19

Although the Earth is our home, it is not our permanent residence.

Paul reminds us that "our citizenship is in heaven." (3:20) As Christians, we must "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus." (3:14)

If we allow God to work through us, "he who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (1:6)

God can break the chains that burden our souls.
He wants to work through us "to will and to act according to his good purpose." (2:13)


Paul found joy while in prison. The word "joy" is mentioned over 13 times in the
short book of Philippians, written by Paul as a letter to the people of Philippi.
If Paul found contentment and joy in prison, why can't we?
As he said in chapter 3, verse 16 "let us live up to what we have already attained."

What have we attained?

Life.

If we have life through Christ, we have eternal life.
Nothing else we gain on this earth will compare.


"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith."~ Philippians 3:7-9