“Let’s start with a one-question quiz: ‘Can you name the most Christlike attitude on earth?’”—Charles R. Swindoll

Early on in his letter to the Philippians, Paul stated his credo: “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better” (Philippians 1:21).

Paul lived his post-conversion life with that credo guiding everything he did. As he wrote to the Christians at Philippi, he developed for them a theology of surrender fuelled by one overarching, Christlike attitude: humility. We’ll see that attitude literally in the flesh since Paul beautifully expounded the wondrous, albeit mysterious, incarnation of Jesus—God humbly “taking the form” of a servant to lead all of us to glory (2:7 NASB).

Most Christians who’ve known Christ for even a few years know the uplifting portion of Paul’s letter to the Philippians that encourages prayer in place of worry, making it heaven’s antidote for an anxious spirit. Before you begin your study, ask yourself this question:

What is causing me to be anxious today that I’ve yet to give to the Lord in prayer?

Take all the time you need to bring your life, your family, your circumstances to God in prayer by listing out what is making you anxious. When you do so, with thanksgiving in your heart, He promises to replace your fears and anxious woes with a perfect peace to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7).

How Unity Is Accomplished—Philippians 2:3–4

Paul not only exhorted the Philippian Christians to embrace the attitude of Christ, but he also showed how unity in Christ could be accomplished. He described three practical points to follow:

1.     Never let selfishness or conceit motivate you
2.     Regard others as more important than yourself
3.     Don’t limit your attention to only your interests, but include the interests of others

Father, thank You for the perfect illustration of humble obedience in the person of Jesus Christ. Form His humility in me until I am wholly and unswervingly Yours. For the glory of His name, I pray, amen.

“The Hidden Secret of a Happy Life” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Laugh Again: Experience Outrageous Joy. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary