Outlook is very important. How you view yourself and the circumstances you encounter dictate the kind of day or week you are going to have.

In our look at Paul and his Philippian letter, I see his outlook portrayed that we need to take on as our own.

Philippians 1:13 - "...so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ." Did you see it?
Paul was not claiming to be a prisoner of the local government. Yes he was sitting in a jail cell. Yes Paul is having to eat (or not eat) the jail food. He has no visitors coming to see him but Paul has a different outlook than what his circumstance is currently presenting to him.

He says, "my imprisonment in the cause of Christ". Paul says he was arrested, not by the local government even though he was, by the "cause of Christ". He was saying, "I am not in jail for something I did wrong." "I am not in this circumstance because the local officials want me here".

Paul's outlook was that he was in prison for the cause of Christ. He was going through this circumstance in his life for no other reason but for God. It wasn't a pleasant experience but Paul knew his was doing kingdom work by sitting in a jail cell.

Your circumstances may not make sense to you but you may have to step back and take another look. While you can't explain why these things are happening to you, God could be up to something where He is using this for kingdom work rather than to make you happy. People are taking notice of you while you endure these current circumstances. Don't let God down while He is setting you up for a great blessing. Don't allow your attitude to go against what God is trying to accomplish through you.

You have been arrested today by God to do His work. Now go and make Him proud!

Prayer: "God, though these circumstances may get difficult, please give us the energy to make you proud in how we act and react to these situations that arise in our lives."