A thought hit me the other day while in the shower (great place to think). It had been a particularly bad night of sleep. A blistering headache started around 4 a.m. By 6 a.m., I’m in the shower trying to relieve the pain as well as head-to-toe body aches and arthritic pain in the hands, back, and hip. I don’t tell you this to sound like I’m whining. I just wanted to share the thought process. In my brain as I’m trying to find something that doesn’t hurt, my thoughts went to two other individuals whose responses to a particular question tell you a lot about the person. It’s a question you will ask and be asked this morning.
How are you doing today?
Both individuals I thought of had their own share of medical problems. Both lived with debilitating, constant pain. Both were hunched and they hobbled as they walked. Both depended on a cane. Both were visibly declining rapidly. Both professed salvation. Both were regularly asked the same question.
How are you doing today?
Their answers were as different as night and day! The first one always gave a gloomy response that makes Eeyore look cheerful. This person never seemed glad to be anywhere, even if it was in the company of other believers. Positivity was never an adjective used to describe this person. In all the years I knew them, the personality was the same so it can’t be blamed on their aches and pains, though the personality got worse through the years.
Then, there’s the other person. Constant pain filled their body. But when asked how they were doing, the response was always the same. With a big, genuine smile, they said, “Better than I deserve.” This person seemed to have a mission in life – bring cheer to as many people as possible. Brighten someone’s day. Make a difference. This person often burst out in song. They were a prayer warrior. They were a Bible student. When asked about their pains and problems, they often deflected and brought the conversation back to your pain and problems.
Which of these two people do you suppose was surrounded by friends? Which of these two people would you want to be around? Which of these two people best describes YOU?
Talking with the church in Philippi, Paul tells them about his experiences “in bonds.” Bible-times prisons weren’t the cushy resorts we have now. Damp dungeons, rusty shackles, and rats would be enough to dampen anyone’s spirits. But read what Paul says in Philippians 1:12-18.
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; (13) So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; (14) And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (15) Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: (16) The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: (17) But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. (18) What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”
Paul saw and knew that there was purpose behind his trials. It was for the “furtherance of the Gospel.” Every trial we face has the same purpose. It supplies a platform from which we can witness. Knowing this caused him to make a decision, a choice, a determination of the will. Paul said, “I WILL rejoice. You can take my freedom. You can strip me of my creature comforts. You can put me in a cell. You 
can beat me. You can watch as my injuries become arthritic and painful. You might be able to take away my health and vitality but you cannot and will not strip me of my joy!”
What choice will you make today? How will you respond when someone asks, “How are you today?” Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
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