He Turned It: Rejoicing in God’s Power to Redeem Any Situation
We’re still in the book of Philippians, where Paul is showing us what it truly means to rejoice always.
But rejoicing doesn’t mean pretending everything is perfect. It’s not about fake smiles or empty clichés like “it’s all good.”
In fact, Paul wrote this very letter from prison—and yet he still declared,
“In this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18)
Part One: The Bible Doesn’t Gas People Up
Philippians 1:12–13 — “The things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel…”
When some people hear “rejoice always,” they think it means ignoring pain, glossing over trouble, or pretending everything is sweet.
But that’s not how the Bible works.
The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat life or hand out false hope. It’s brutally honest—but filled with unshakable truth.
Even Jesus didn’t act like life was easy:
Luke 9:23 — “Take up your cross daily and follow Me.”
Matthew 10:34 — “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”
Hebrews 12:2 — He endured the cross, not avoided it.
Paul is not pretending prison is pleasant.
But what he is saying is powerful: “God has turned it.”
Turned what?
The suffering
The injustice
The betrayal
The chains
God used it—to reach people, to strengthen believers, and to spread the gospel.
“This is bigger than me.”
That’s what Paul believed.
Do you see your life like that?
When things go wrong, do you still believe God can turn it for something greater?
Part Two: The End of It
Philippians 1:12 — “…have actually turned out…”
The key message here is not just about the process, but about the outcome.
We don’t rejoice in the pain—but in what God can produce through the pain.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 — “The end of a thing is better than its beginning…”
You can take a short, easy road to a dead end.
Or you can travel a long, hard road that leads to a powerful destination.
This is true in life, marriage, and ministry.
But here’s the warning: don’t give up too soon.
Yes, it’s hard. Yes, you’re tired.
But to rejoice always takes faith.
Hebrews 11:1 — “Faith is the substance of things hoped for…”
Faith gives you vision in the dark.
Faith says: “I can’t see how this ends, but I know God does.”
Ezekiel 37:3 — “Can these bones live?”
Answer: “O Lord God, You know.”
That’s real faith. Not blind optimism. But trusting God knows how to turn it around.
Part Three: The Turnaround
Philippians 1:12 — “…turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.”
Paul didn’t deny the chains—but he did declare the turnaround.
Romans 8:28 — “All things work together for good to those who love God…”
That includes:
Hard times
Enemies
Delays
Disappointments
Even your mistakes
God did it for Joseph:
Genesis 50:20 — “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”
Joseph:
Betrayed by his brothers
Sold into slavery
Falsely accused
Forgotten in prison
But he stayed faithful. And when God was ready—He turned it.
Conclusion: Rejoice Always — Because He Can Turn It
You may be in a place right now where:
You’ve lost your job
You feel forgotten
You’re still not married
You’ve been overlooked or let down
But hear this:
God can turn it.
Psalm 30:5 — “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
So why do we rejoice always?
Not because everything is good.
But because God is good—and He has the power to turn it.
Chains or no chains, problems or peace,
“Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18)