But I Trust - Purposed Joy - Pursuing Joy Every Day

“…But I trust in the Lord…” Philippians 2:24

Living in unknown circumstances is something that most people must do often. And when they do, we comfort ourselves by saying things like, “When we get through this, all will be normal again” or “I will be able to rest after this.” We try to cushion our life as much as possible with the people, things, food, and money to make us feel safe and secure, but as much as we want our life to be together, organized, and planned, there are always things that arise as a variable to our plans. Unexpected new hot water tank bills, unexpected calls for help which changes plans for the day, unexpected arguments, unexpected illness, unexpected death. All of these things shake up our routine and feelings of comfortability. In response, we live from one “good time” to the next. And sometimes, it is difficult to see our “next.”

Paul’s situation was no different. Although committing his life to serving Christ and sharing the gospel never lent his life to one of comfortability, Paul did have plans and goals for encouraging people and sharing God’s love. Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from a jail cell in Rome around 62 A.D. He had met the Philippians prior his time in jail during a visit. Through their time together, they had become close. They had faithfully committed to supporting him as a missionary to other parts of southern Europe and Asia Minor. As Paul was in jail, they sent one of their church leaders, Epaphroditus, to visit Paul and bring him a monetary gift. In return, Paul writes the book of Philippians as a letter he sent back to the Philippians with Epaphroditus.

Tucked into the letter, Paul shares how as much as he wants to come to Philippi to see them, he cannot, but he is sending Timothy to them as soon as he finds out what will happen with him. Despite the unknown circumstances and unpredictable future Paul is facing, he says, “…but I trust in the Lord…” (Philippians 2:24 KJV). Even through his unknowns and unexpected, he chose to trust the Lord. Although he was not able to go freely since he was in jail, he chose to trust the Lord. The Christian Standard Bible uses the phrase “I am confident in the Lord” (Philippians 2:24). Although Paul faced much unforeseen situations, his confidence was in the Lord.

Instead of saying things like “If I can just get through this, things will be better,” I would like to suggest to you another response. Despite situations that I am not expecting, I can choose to say, “but I trust in the Lord.” Even in the long valleys, I can choose to say, “but I trust in the Lord.”

Rather than postponing our joy for when times will be better, we can have joy in the valleys. When we choose to trust the Lord in the midst of the unexpected, we are choosing to have faith. And we can have comfort in knowing “the Lord is faithful” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV). He will be faithful through our unexpected, so may we choose to say, “But I trust.”