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POSITIVE ATTITUDE (4 OF 6)

by Stephen Whitney

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18
This content is part of a series.


Positive Attitude (4 of 6)
Series:Philippians: Joy in the Lord
Stephen Whitney
Philippians 1:12-18


All-star baseball pitcher Dave Dravecky played with the San Diego Padres from 1982 through 1987 and then was traded to the San Francisco Giants where he played from 1988 to 1989 until he developed an unusual soreness in his pitching arm.

Medical tests identified the problem - which was cancer. He had surgery followed by months of rehabilitation. Then, after pitching for a time in the minor leagues, he made a widely applauded and successful comeback to the major leagues.

But in a game in Montreal, as he was delivering a pitch, his arm snapped. The cancer had not gone away and to save his life, doctors had to remove his arm. He struggled to fine the reason for his loss by looking at the positive gains in his life.

As a committed Christian, Dave did not want to wallow in self-pity. He said, ''There is no struggle about feeling sorry for myself. The question is not, 'Why me, God?' The question is, 'What is your plan for me?' Then he said, ''I used to depend on myself. Now I depend more on God. I see this as God giving me the opportunity to share the gospel with a lot of people.''

Instead of feeling sorry because he lost his arm Dave saw it as an opportunity to be able share his faith in Christ with others. The apostle Paul had the same attitude that out of trouble he had the opportunity to share the gospel with other people who he would not have been able to share it otherwise.

Background Paul had finished his three missionary journeys. He had been arrested in Jerusalem by Jews who were jealous. He appealed his case to the Roman Emperor and was now under house arrest in Rome awaiting trial. Acts 28:30-31 He lived there two whole years in his own house and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ will all boldness and without hindrance. TOWARD CIRCUMSTANCES :12-14 Others hear :12-13 Th ...

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