Paul wrote a letter of joy. It is four chapters. It has 104 verses made up of 2002 words. Paul wrote a letter of joy from jail. With his arms in shackles and chained up between two soldiers, Paul wrote this letter. He used words like “joy” and “rejoice” at least 16 times. Even chained up, Paul had joy overflowing, abounding, excessive. He knew that God was awesome and that God makes life awesome, even when life isn’t awesome. We want that. We need that. But it seems so difficult. Circumstances crush joy. Pain steals it. That’s why we’re going to spend the next four weeks in this letter of joy. Paul wants to help us discover real joy. Paul wants to give us true happiness.

Today we’re looking at Philippians 1:18-30.