Advance Through Adversity
In 1660, John Bunyan was arrested in England for preaching without permission from the Church of England. He could have been released if he promised to stop—but he didn’t. Instead, he spent over a decade in prison, choosing to remain faithful to his calling. A few years later, during another brief imprisonment in 1675, Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress, a powerful allegory of the Christian life. Since then, it has been translated into over 200 languages and has never gone out of print. What looked like a painful setback became a tool that shaped millions of lives. Bunyan’s faithfulness in hardship helped the gospel reach far beyond what he could have imagined.
Scripture Overview
Paul writes to the Philippians from a Roman prison, but he’s not discouraged. He wants them to know that his suffering has actually helped spread the gospel. Because of his chains, the whole imperial guard has heard about Christ, and other believers have become bolder in sharing their faith. Paul isn’t focused on his pain—he’s focused on God’s purpose. In a time when it would’ve been easy to give up or complain, Paul rejoices that even his suffering serves a bigger story. God uses unlikely moments—even prisons—to shine His light.
Things to Ponder
Can you think of a time when something hard ended up doing something good in your life or someone else's?
Why do you think people are often bolder when they see someone suffer faithfully?
What would it look like to talk about Jesus even in hard moments—like school struggles or family stress?
How might your attitude during a tough time help someone else see God more clearly?
Who is someone you know who has stayed faithful through adversity? What can you learn from them?
Application Challenge
What if the difficult parts of this week are opportunities in disguise? When things go wrong—a canceled plan, an argument, a disappointment—what would it look like to say, “How can I show Jesus here?” Maybe it means offering kind words when you’re frustrated, or praying for someone who’s struggling. Paul’s example reminds us that hardship doesn't cancel our witness—it often strengthens it.
Could God be using your challenges to encourage others? You never know who’s watching, learning from how you handle stress, sadness, or setbacks. This week, let’s look for small ways to let Christ shine through our struggles.