What are your present circumstances? Are you in a season where you are feeling God’s love a lot? Are you in a season of suffering? In Philippians, St. Paul tells us his circumstances and how he responds to them in the power of the Holy Spirit:
I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brethren have been made confident in the Lord because of my imprisonment, and are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear. (Phil 1:12-14)
Paul is in jail. He’s being persecuted for telling people about Jesus. But being in prison has helped him spread the Gospel. The whole Roman guard, which he did not previously have access to, is now hearing the Word of God.
Often, when I consider my circumstances, my mind goes to the negative things first. But if Paul’s suffering can advance the Gospel, so can mine.
Last week, I was at a coffee shop with somebody in Ann Arbor, Michigan—which is a very secular city. The tables were so close to each other that your elbows could touch the person next to you. I was having a deep conversation on the truth about human sexuality, marriage, and offering our lives as a gift and a sacrifice. When we left, my friend pointed out that the person next to me was looking at me and making a face every time I spoke, as if to say, “I can’t believe she believes that.” My friend said I should be careful about what I discuss in situations like that.
My initial response was a fear of men: “I hope that person wasn’t thinking badly of me.” But then the Lord reminded me not to be ashamed of the Gospel. St. Paul didn’t fear men; in fact, he expected persecution and suffering. His focus was not on his own suffering, but on the fact that it allowed him to share the Gospel with a new group of people.
We too can choose to give our circumstances to God and allow Him to bring good out of them. Consider St. Paul’s situation, which empowers other believers to speak the word more boldly. How we proclaim the Gospel amid suffering, persecution, and difficulties is a powerful witness to those who don’t believe. Furthermore, it sows the seed of faith in those walking alongside us. It gives power, encouragement, and strength to fellow believers.
St. Paul does not let his circumstances define him. He isn’t brought down by suffering; he allows God to use it, and as a result, the Word of God goes out more boldly.
The darkness is strong in today’s world. But what if Christ put us in this time—when the Church has lost its money, power, and influence—so that we can rise above our suffering to advance the Gospel? May the Lord give you the courage to advance his Word, even when it’s hard.
This article, which is condensed from Episode 27 of Burning Hearts, originally appeared in Renewal Ministries April 2025 newsletter.
Rachel Herbeck is Renewal Ministries' Director of Young Adult Discipleship and host of the 'Burning Hearts' podcast. She received her bachelors in Catholic studies from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has worked extensively in youth ministry and she speaks to youth and young adults at retreats, conferences, and events around the world. Rachel is passionate about life issues and has worked for multiple pro-life and political organizations both in Minnesota and Washington, DC. Before joining the id team, she worked for the Minnesota Catholic Conference, where she did outreach and lobbied on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Minnesota. She currently resides in Plymouth, Michigan.
rmartin@renewalministries.net
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I’m very impressed with Rachel. Her Mom & Dad should be overjoyed their daughter can speak for the Lord so powerfully.
I will add this: I live in a church world that is full of money & power. But recalling the early days of my 45 years as a spirit filled Christian, I feel we were rich back then. Today, not so much. I’ll add to a comment recently written by her Dad: Princes and gold can’t meet the need the human heart has, nor can temporal things and the celebrity of man save you.
Come Lord Jesus!