When Things Go Wrong – Respond or React? Philippians 2:25–30
Rejoice Always – Part 12: When Things Go Wrong – Respond or React?
Philippians 2:25–30 (NKJV)
"Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him... Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem." (vv.25–27, 29)
Part One: When Things Go Wrong…
One of the most successful men in Hollywood is Will Smith:
3 Oscar nominations (Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness, King Richard)
$350 million net worth
But on March 27, 2022, during the Oscars, he famously slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage. A moment meant to be a career highlight turned into a global controversy.
When things go wrong, do you respond—or do you react?
The Bible introduces us to a lesser-known hero: Epaphroditus.
“Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier…” (Philippians 2:25)
We also read in Philippians 4:18 that he delivered gifts from the church and nearly died serving Paul. He was:
Sacrificial — risked his life for the gospel.
Trustworthy — carried the church's offering without compromise.
But things went wrong.
“He was sick almost unto death…” (v.27)
You can be faithful, prayerful, and right in the center of God’s will—and still face hardship.
“And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea…” (Matthew 8:24)
We don’t always get to choose what goes wrong, but we do get to choose how we respond.
Part Two: Paul Took the Sting Out of It
Will Smith wasn’t ready for the pressure of that moment. What should’ve been a celebration became a scandal.
Epaphroditus also faced pressure. He got sick in the middle of doing something important. In Bible times, that could be seen as a shame or failure.
Paul could’ve said: “He didn’t finish the job.” Instead, he honored him:
“Receive him in the Lord with all gladness and hold such men in esteem.” (v.29)
Paul removed the sting.
Imagine being at a wedding, all eyes on the bouquet toss—and in the chaos, your wig gets snatched mid-air. It lands at the feet of a guy you like… and he picks it up thinking it's the bouquet!
How you handle that moment says everything.
Sometimes, the best thing we can do is take the sting out for someone else. Like the bride taking off her own wig to help a sister save face.
That’s what Paul did. That’s what Christ did:
“He who knew no sin became sin for us...” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
We must build churches where people who tried and struggled are still loved and honored.
Part Three: Don’t Hide – Go Home
Epaphroditus didn’t complete his mission. So Paul sent him back—not in shame, but in love:
“Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice…” (v.28)
Sometimes things don’t work out, but it’s not the end.
I knew a pastor who shut down a struggling church plant, but instead of returning to be restored—he disappeared.
Many have gone home, been healed, and then sent out again. God isn’t finished with you.
Throughout the Bible, going home is often the first step to restoration:
The demoniac was told to go home and testify (Mark 5:19).
The prodigal son said, “I will arise and go to my father.” (Luke 15:18)
Onesimus was sent back to Philemon (Philemon 1:10).
Zacchaeus promised restoration at home (Luke 19:8).
It takes humility. But it’s bigger than us.
“He was distressed because you heard he was sick.” (v.26)
Even in pain, Epaphroditus was thinking of others. That’s the heart of a disciple.
Going home isn’t always about location. It’s about the heart. It's about making things right.
Jacob had to go back to Isaac (Genesis 31 & 33),
Naomi to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:6–7),
Moses to Egypt (Exodus 4:18–20).
Restoration starts with returning.
Final Thoughts
When things go wrong, how do you respond?
Be like Paul — don’t shame, seek to restore.
Be like the Philippian church — care enough to ask “how are you?” before “what happened?”
Be like Epaphroditus — faithful, humble, not hiding, but returning and still loving others.
Just be like Jesus.
And you too can rejoice always.