joy is ultimately my decision. This is the approach Paul took with the Philippians. Regardless of what happened to Paul, the Philippians were to conduct their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel. Four words sum up Paul’s instruction to the church at Philippi: “Stand firm! Be joyful!” Many Americans suffer the affects of stress, but sometimes the wounds are self-inflicted. Paul tells us that we will suffer for Christ. We are to agonize together, but our pain must bring us closer to one another