Living Beyond the Highs and Lows of Life

My hope of living in the world’s most exciting city faded each time I walked out of my tiny apartment into the dark, empty, “sorry we’re closed” streets of Manhattan.

Filled and Abundant

As 2022 begins, I’m filled with hope and my life is abundant. After spending the holidays with family in the mountains, skiing, and eating every Christmas cookie in sight, I’m settled back into my life in New York City. Looking ahead, the calendar is filled with new opportunities at my job, celebrations with friends all over the country, and projects for personal growth.

However, it wasn’t long ago that my calendar was empty. Moving to New York City during the pandemic meant I had no friends within reach and I went weeks without any social plans. My hope of living in the world’s most exciting city faded each time I walked out of my tiny apartment into the dark, empty, “sorry we’re closed” streets of Manhattan.

If life were a rollercoaster, I would say I have just gone through the upside-down, backward loop and am now at the peak overlooking the bright lights below me. However, when I turn on the news or check in with my friends, I realize that at any given moment, someone not too far away is living in complete darkness.

When life goes sideways, modern day wisdom tells us to “look for the positive in life.” I hope I’m not the only one that’s a little exhausted by that approach. The truth is: life is hard. Loved ones die, relationships fall apart, leaders fail, and our dreams don’t always come true. If we look for the “positive” in life to give us hope, it could be gone by the time we find it.

In Any and Every Circumstance

What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says, “In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret [of having abundance and suffering need]?” For one thing, when Paul’s life was not going well—like when he was thrown in prison and beaten nearly to death—his circumstances were far worse than any I have experienced in my life. However, the message from Paul to us is not to feel better because someone has it worse than you. His message is that in spite of things going well or going terribly wrong, there’s a secret to getting along. In the next verse, Paul’s “secret” is revealed, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Philippians 4:13.

I Have Learned the Secret

The secret Paul is referring to is Jesus Christ. Some people know Jesus as a good example or a good teacher and, while that is true, what Paul is most certainly relying upon in moments of hunger and suffering is not only good teaching but also in the Savior who took the burden of his sins and who promises him an eternal life with God (John 3:16). Knowing Christ is the secret to getting along in any and every circumstance.

However, knowing Christ may not change our circumstances. Actually, it might make our circumstances worse. Every day, followers of Christ are ridiculed and persecuted for their faith. Paul was imprisoned and beaten, as were many of Jesus’ followers and friends. Jesus himself was mocked, tortured, and crucified for teaching the Gospel. There is no guarantee that life will always have a bright side, even for someone who always does the right thing. Expecting things to go well will only leave us disappointed when life inevitably doesn’t go according to our plan. Jesus said, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world,” John 16:33. The alternative, expecting that this world will have trouble, but knowing that there is hope, can keep us moving forward when life’s worries become overwhelming. 

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