When Paul wrote Philippians (his letter to the Philippian church), he was a prisoner in Rome, some envious men were using his imprisonment for self exaltation, and he was facing the possibility of being executed. On top of all this, he was aging, he had some physical ailment, and he had no spouse and no children.
 

For many people in this circumstance, the letter would be full of self pity, and complaint about undeserved injustice. That is exactly what the letter is not, and in no other letter does Paul speak so often about joy and rejoicing.

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The Philippians were concerned about Paul, and naturally wanted to hear how he was doing. After thanking the Philippians for their support, he says:  "I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." (Php. 1:12 ESV).

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Watch the lessons we should learn for our own spiritual and mental health from this powerful letter.

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LESSON ONE: Optimism, and an optimism based in eternal value, not temporary trouble (Php. 1.12ff).

Paul is facing three burdens: He's a prisoner, some brethren are stabbing him in the back out of envy, and he might be killed.  But in each case, Paul looks on the bright side. And not just the bright side, but on the eternal value bright side.  

     

I'm a prisoner? 

Bright side: The guards are learning of my stand in Jesus Christ, and other brethren are being encouraged to step up and preach Christ more (1.13-14).

 

Some are preaching out of envy and strife?

Bright side: Other souls are hearing about Jesus Christ! (1.15-18).

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I might be killed?

Bright side: I would get to go be with Christ! (1.21-23).

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Instead of "Woe is me!, " Paul focuses on eternal good. This matches with what Paul said in 2 Cor. 4:16-18 ESV - "So we do not lose heart. . . as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

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LESSON TWO: Humility (Php.2.1-9):

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Do nothing through selfishness, and instead of looking just to your own things, look to the interest of others, counting your brothers and sisters better than self." (Phl 2:3-4 ESV).

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For an example to be inspired by - remember how Jesus did this for you. This is similar to the paradox that Jesus preached again and again; if you exalt yourself, you will be humbled. If you humble yourself, you will be exalted.

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LESSON THREE: Going forward, not backward (Php. 3.13-14 ESV):

"But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

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Too many people live in the past. Past glory. Past failure. Past hurt. Paul had great sin in his past, but he is now looking forward. So for us too, tomorrow is going to be tomorrow, not yesterday. God wants us to move forward, not be trapped by the past. Do note, however, it is essential to be forgiven of our past, so that we can move forward. Paul describes his past life as the chiefest of sinners. But after the risen Lord appeared to him, he sent Ananias with this message: Act 22:16 ESV - "And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." But once he was washed clean in the grace of Christ, he moved forward, not chained by his past.

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LESSON 4: Joy: rejoice in the Lord (4.4).

You can lose your money, your freedom, and your life. But what they couldn't take away from Paul was his relationship in Christ. He rejoiced in that!

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LESSON 5: Don't worry, take it to God, with gratitude (4:6-7 ESV):

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

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Anxiety does not fix problems. And self pity does not fix anything. Paul told the Philippians to take it to God instead of being anxious, but to do so with THANKSGIVING.  Gratitude repels self pity.

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LESSON 6: Focus on what's good. (4.8 ESV):

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

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Constantly dwelling on what is depressing, is depressing. Dwelling on what is good, is good.

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LESSON 7: Contentment (4.11-13 ESV):

"I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

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That last verse is famous, and is often quoted as an affirmation that we can succeed at anything: I will get that promotion, I will win the championship. 

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That's not what Paul's saying. He's not saying he can walk away from his chains, or fill his hunger. He's saying that in Christ, he can handle what comes.

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Paul was in prison, possibly facing death, but his letter uses the words JOY and REJOICE over and over and over. Because he had joy in something greater than temporary things. He rejoiced in the Lord.

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