How can we let go of our past and lay hold of what Christ has for us in the future? Paul teaches us how to look forward to the prize of God’s upward call, when we will be fully with Christ in transformed bodies. The glory of what awaits us is beyond measure and offers comfort when we look at the past and hope when we look to the future.

Despite his circumstances and being in prison, Paul is hopeful. His life has come down to simply knowing Christ, and therefore, his circumstances and struggles are secondary. Why do we allow our circumstances to become the focus and how can we find Jesus and the freedom Paul speaks about? Suffering is inevitable in this life, yet Paul says in Christ our suffering is redeemed.