Philippians 3–All About Humility
Friends, my joy is lacking. Or rather, my joy in my present circumstances is lacking, which is understandable. And if I consider for too long how the whole house, myself now included, is sick, I can easily stay in a joyless place. But I’m not of this world and my present circumstances may stink now, but I know more than these present circumstances.
We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven.
†Philippians 3:20
This goes back to my asking for prayers for my grandma and grandpa who are now staring a terminal diagnosis of Alzheimers in the face…without the comfort and assurances of God. And a natural inclination in the face of adversity, be it a terminal illness like Alzheimers or a house full of sick kids and momma now down as well, is to rely on ourselves. But we can’t do it on our own…spiritually or physically.
And without a hope of something more…heaven or even a hot meal from a kind friend…life becomes more of burden than necessary. Those who lack a relationship with our Lord are pridefully, although maybe not consciously, considering themselves better to take care of the situation than God and those of (us) who don’t accept a help offered are doing the same. Ouch.
These weeks that Chris has been out of town and child after child has been sick, I have tried not to ask for help and in thew process possibly stretched myself too thin. I know we all have our own stuff we’re dealing with in the day to day and I don’t want to bother anyone and possibly stretch them even further than they may already feel. How prideful of me! To refuse an offer of help, to deny someone the opportunity to practice charity for their neighbor…even if their neighbor is me and I live almost half an hour or more from them.
St Paul takes a minute to list all the reasons he has to be proud, and ends with, “But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ’s sake.” (Philippians 3:7)
Am I stretching here girls? I don’t think so. How many times do we have this mental list of all the reasons we can do it or make it on our own and refuse a helping hand out of some sort of false pride?
St Paul frequently gives thanks for those who have helped him or are helping in his present circumstances. He acknowledges their physical and spiritual help throughout his “Letter of Joy.” He recognizes he cannot do it alone, be it without Christ or his fellow laborers. We too need the help of Christ–obviously–but also the help of others. Even our dear Lord received help from Simon in carrying His cross.
Philippians 3–Everything Else is Worthless
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ
†Philippians 3:8
Oh my gracious girls. When it rains…it pours…and my trials are so little compared to others…but they are my trials at this present moment.
Week 4 of pneumonia with Luke…Leo now has pneumonia…Maximilian has croup…Veronica has something that causes fever and body aches…my throat is scratchy and hoarse…Bridget has an icky cough…there was a 4 foot long snake crawling up the side of my house by the door…Chris is traveling off and on…my grandma told me last night she has Alzheimers…screeeech! It’s that last one friends that really gets me.
The sleeplessness, the worry over my children, the constant sound of coughing, antibiotics–cough medicine–breathing treatments, all lined up…yeah, a big fat pain–but thanks be to God for modern medicine. But my grandma y’all…I don’t know if she knows Jesus.
St Paul says everything is worthless when compared to the knowledge of Christ. I’m sure he doesn’t mean the kind of knowledge that there was this Guy named Jesus and He lived a long time ago and people sing songs and say prayers about and to Him. St Paul means a knowledge of Christ that makes it all, everything, worth it.
I’ve texted my spiritual father updates from here on the small farm. His last text this morning instructed me to declare a sleep in movie day…and tell the older kids to offer all this up. This knowledge that there was Someone who offered it ALL, His very last breath, up for us, makes these little struggles worth it–still hard–but worth it. And it’s good to know and teach this eternal economy of suffering and offering.
All the other stuff is garbage…it’s useless and worthless and temporary. But this sacrificial love of Christ for me…it’s eternal and profound and more than mere words can express.
It’s a light at the end of a long day spent in the tunnel of life.
It’s a gift that I strive to acknowledge daily and want to offer something back in appreciation.
It’s worth more than anything else ever given or received.
It’s a tender reminder that Someone loves me enough to die for me.
It’s the hope of one day seeing my hero, my Savior, face to face to say “Thank You.”
And to be without that hope and consolation…to know someone without that hope and consolation and not even really know they are missing it…it’s sad. How can a person “press on” without a goal in sight? Or an encouraging Word to help through the tough times? And where is their hope if they don’t know there is something more than “mourning and weeping int his valley of tears?”
He will take these weak mortal bodies of ours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that he will use to conquer everything, everywhere.
†Philippians 3:21
Can you please remember my family right now in your prayers? I’m stretched and worn and worried. And the thought of my grandma coming to a point where she doesn’t know me makes my heart hurt like you don’t know. But more importantly, can you remember my grandma, Grace, and my grandpa, Leo, in your prayers? Our prayer is they come to the knowledge of Christ. He will sustain them and give them rest for their weary souls.
Philippians 3–Journey to Joy
Hey there! Been a while. Life has been one big mess of life right now…traveling husband, sick kids, broken things and schedules that expect me to be in five different places at one time…no joke! And then there’s good ‘ol St Paul telling the Philippians how to do it…this crazy, wild ride we call life.
“Whatever happens my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
†Philippians 3:1
I’ve really been considering that part where he says he keeps telling them to rejoice to safeguard their faith. What do you think he means by that?
I have a couple of ideas, but no time right now. I keep trying to get back here, but I’ve got some really sick little guys. Apparently there is a nasty respiratory virus wrecking havoc in a few states and I’m wondering if maybe that’s we’re dealing with. We are on week four of Luke and pneumonia. At his recheck today I mentioned to the doctor that he was having some noticeable trouble hearing…ear infection! And now Leo…sick. We’re not calling it pneumonia yet, just a very bad case of bronchitis which means antibiotics, cough medicine with codeine and breathing treatments four times a day so we can keep him home. I would guess whatever it is we are fighting is viral because the antibiotics should have already kicked it.
All that to say, I think of you all and our journey to joy this month, even if The Littlest Way for Catholic Women seems a bit quiet.
Philippians Chapter 3 Worksheet
Here is the worksheet for chapter 3 of Philippians.
Philippians Chapter 3 Worksheet
I pray my questions, explanations and reflections are helpful. I brought up the subject of our thought life quite a bit in this worksheet. I really struggled with this area…REALLY. I still do sometimes. And when I feel myself headed down that all too familiar path of fear, doubt, discouragement and depression, I purpose to spend more time in the scriptures. I know those thoughts and resulting emotions are not from God. I know they are lies meant to rob me of peace and joy.
In order to combat the lies of the enemy, I need to use the Word of God as my weapon. I have to…have to…have to, recognize what I am dealing with.
I also quote from the book The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life
Please God, I hope to jump back on here next week and share my insights as I read chapter 3 of the book of Philippians in my journey to joy. Please do the same.
Who I Want to be…A Joy Thinker
My last couple of posts have been a little on the depressing side eh? Have you been reading not only Paul’s Letter of Joy to the Philippians, but also Tommy Newberry’s book, The 4:8 Principle: The Secret to a Joy-Filled Life
My Bible
“In many ways, your brain works like a computer. When you receive positive or negative input about yourself, your store it in your subconscious mind and later express those messages in your feeling and behaviors…Unless you are taught to reject the negative messages, you will tend to accept them as truth.” I like how he goes on to relate this truth with the scriptures;
“As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”
†Proverbs 27:19
“Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.”
†Matthew 7:20
I believe these verses and Tommy’s descriptions are crucial ponderings especially for mothers–not only for ourselves, but our children as well. We cannot give what we do not have. We cannot teach and train our children to live joy filled lives if we are ourselves are joy-less. We cannot enjoy our children, if we do not have joy.
Now this does not mean we need to be all Mary Poppins all the time. That does not describe me, my temperament, or my personality at all. I can be a more melancholic temperament and yet still maintain a joyful attitude. How?
My words will reflect my thoughts. If I speak in the negative or even just in the “blah” it reveals how I feel about myself, my life and my vocation. Not only will my children pick up those thinking habits, they may even think they are the cause of them.
“I have to do the dishes again,” said in a very Eeyore like manner. “I’m not a good cook…My clothes never fit…I’ll never learn to cook a good meatloaf…This always happens to me (us)…Why me?…I guess I’ll always/never…I am–I struggle with—I’ve always been…” Do you see? Can you just hear the joy void in those phrases? Blech!
When I got a hold of the truth found in my Bible
I started thinking to myself, “If I can call myself a worrier, why can’t I call myself a truster just as easily?” (Yes, I know “truster” is not technically a word, but it worked and works for me.) Just that slight change in wording, made a small improvement in my thinking and eventually a big change in me.
I hope this post isn’t too disjointed. It’s late and I’m tired, but I wanted to get these thoughts down before I forgot them. Hopefully I can get back here tomorrow and work some of these thoughts out a little more fully. And, If I haven’t thanked you all yet, thanks for coming along side me as I purpose to read the Book of Philippians everyday for a month. I pray it will be a huge blessing in your life.
Day “I Don’t Know” on My Journey to Joy
How’s that for a title? I have no idea which way is up and whether I’m coming or going. It’s just one of those seasons right now and I keep reminding myself that others have it worse…shoot I could even have it worse than it is.
Your life in Christ makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another.
†Philippians 1:2 (Good News Translation)
Are you cheerful because you belong to Christ? Does his love comfort you? Is the Holy Spirit your companion? Has Christ been gentle and loving toward you?
†Philippians 1:2 (New International Readers Version)
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?
†Philippians 1:2 (New Living Translation)
Verse 2 has been rolling around in my head and taking root in my heart.
Have I been seeking my strength from Christ and comfort in His love in this season?
Do I have kindness and compassion on others right now or can I even see beyond my own self?
Am I cheerful because I belong to Christ?
Have I sought or acknowledged the Holy Spirit as my companion?
As I wallow around in stress and distress do I realize how gentle and loving Christ is with me?
Would it scandalize you if I answered “No” to all of those questions I just asked myself?
I’m so glad I undertook this month long reading and re-reading of St Paul’s Letter of Joy…so glad. I know first hand how reading and memorizing the scriptures can change my thinking. When I start flailing around, I forget what I know…you know? God’s providence is so grand that He would have me publicly commit to reading His Word…His joy-filled Word…during a pretty stressful time.
Can I just share with you a lovely gift I received? You know I love my Bible
I prayed and hoped Barbara would accept my offer to advertise here on The Littlest Way for Catholic Women and on my little sister site, The Littlest Way, and she kindly agreed! Please go visit her beautiful shop dedicated to Blessed Mother.
Her rosaries are some of the prettiest wire wrapped rosaries…and affordable! She considers her etsy shop her apostolate, “Dedicated to creating aids for Devotion to Mary.” Please stop over there and pay Barbara a kind visit. Leave her a message letting her know you appreciate her ad here on The Littlest Way for Catholic Women. And while visiting, remember the month of October–Dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary–is coming up and grab yourself a pretty new one…I’m just sayin’.
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