Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:5 –8 (ESV)

Your true desires and character are often revealed in the pressure cooker of stressful situations. When the things you rely on get removed and the bare, raw realities of life are exposed, we simply have nowhere to run. It's in those moments that our selfishness is seen. Paul had lived in that state for many years. Imprisoned and awaiting a verdict that could mean release or death. In the midst of this, he found joy in humble service. Where did that originate from?

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. - Philippians 1:12 –13 (ESV)

What feeling or emotion comes to mind when we start to talk about evangelism? I think for many people it's fear. We are afraid that we won't have the answer to a question. We are afraid of rejection. We are afraid of persecution. We are afraid our lives won't match what we say. There are a lot of fears, but what if one of the ways to discover joy was actually evangelism?

complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:2 –4 (ESV)

You deserve it. Treat yourself. You have to love yourself. Without self love you can't show others love. These are all phrases and ideas that show up around us.  How we think of our self is important, but how should we think about ourselves? How does that effect how we think and ultimately treat those around us.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9 –11 (ESV)

Where did you find joy this week? Did you remember that God is not finished with you even when you feel like a failure? Did that bring you joy?

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. - Philippians 1:21 –22 (ESV)

Imprisoned. Silenced from preaching and planting churches. Restrained from traveling. The real possibility of execution looming. How would you respond? Hopelessness? Despair? This was the plight of the Apostle Paul. What would happen next was unknown.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. - Philippians 1:6 –7 (ESV)

In the Chinese calendar each year is represented by an animal. If I was making the calendar for 2020, I think this years animal should be  Eeyore. That's right, the sad donkey from the beloved children's story. I mean that's what 2020 feels like right? It has seemed like an endless string of horible circumstances that only worsen. (You have heard there is a double-hurricane sorta headed our way). So I'm calling it! 2020 is the year of the Eeyore.