In the field of psychology there is a common saying that when a person feels threatened they will instinctively react—out of fear—in one of several ways. Fight/Flight/Freeze. You will either prepare to fight against the threat or turn to flee. A third instinctive response is to freeze out of indecision.
Those who have experienced trauma will oftentimes overreact even in non-threatening situations. An innocent gesture might trigger a defensive reaction from someone who has not fully recovered from trauma. This overreacting oftentimes requires counseling or self-coping techniques to correct.
These three instinctive responses serve as an outline for Paul’s advice in this morning’s passage. If there were ever a biblical candidate for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Paul would fit the bill. But, rather than being driven by fear, he reacted with courage, peace, and joy. His hope was never shaken by his experiences.
A worldly fear will destroy our hope. It can cause us to be ashamed of Christ, anxious about death, and arrested in our faith.
Shame, anxiety, and indecisiveness are all common symptoms of PTSD. It has only been in the last century that psychologists have really studied PTSD, but Paul’s advice might be the best counsel you ever read on the subject.
1. Paul models courageous engagement with a hostile culture. He knew how to fight against wickedness.
2. He had a genuine desire to depart and be with Christ. This is similar to “flight”, but in a peaceful rather than anxious state.
3. He recognized the importance of making progress in faith rather than being frozen by indecision.
Of course, these are not only applicable in life and death scenarios. However, Paul truly was in one.
Paul’s prayer for the Philippians to grow in discerning love and to be filled with the fruit of righteousness was followed by his rejoicing in the advance of the gospel in the face of difficult circumstances and discouraging people. https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php1.18 (Phil 1:18) transitions into his confidence that Christ will continue to use Paul to proclaim the gospel and edify the saints.
Paul switches to the future tense as he reflects upon his confident hope. Paul’s joy remains steadfast—even in prison—because it’s rooted in Christ’s glory. Centering your life around Christ will make His glory your joy.
Read https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php1.19-26 (Philippians 1:19-26).
I. Christ Will Be Magnified (19-20) After praying for them (9-11), Paul acknowledges their prayers for him. Notice how Paul combines supplication with the work of the Spirit. Through the prayers of the saints, the Spirit of Jesus supplies Paul with the ability and boldness to be an effective witness for Christ.
Paul is confident that the end result of his imprisonment will be his salvation/deliverance (19). This could possibly refer to deliverance from prison, but based upon the uncertainty of his future (22-24), it is more likely a reference to spiritual salvation.
Specifically, Paul speaks of his salvation before God at the last judgment (“the day of Christ”). His discussion of salvation typically carries eschatological implications.
The obvious next question is: Saved from what? If it is a spiritual salvation, then the primary focus would be the wrath of God. Paul knows he will be vindicated in heaven even if he is condemned and executed on earth. In fact, the earthly experience is preparation for the heavenly one. As he has said elsewhere,
Paul clearly had Job in mind as he quotes “this will turn out for my salvation” directly from the LXX translation of https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Job13.16 (Job 13:16).
Job 13:16–18 ESV
This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.
Here, Job is...
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