September 21

I thank my God every time I remember you. — Phil 1:3 BSB

The Philippian church is unique in that it never caused Paul any anxiety.

Most of the churches Paul founded troubled him at some point. They had quarrels, and he had to step in as peacemaker. There were cases of wrongdoing that burdened him. But the Philippian church was different—there was no dissension, no conflict. Paul only experienced joy and comfort from them, and here, he thanks God for that.

It’s a wonderful thing to live in such a way that we bring comfort to those who love us. It’s a great thing for a church to be a joy to its pastor, never adding thorns to his pillow. It’s a beautiful thing for children to be a source of comfort to their parents.

A father recently said that none of his children—now all grown and settled—had ever caused him an anxious day or a sleepless night. Why not set for ourselves the goal of always being a source of comfort to our friends?