Reframing
Rikki Permenter, MAMFC, Th. M.
And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”
― Paul, Philippians 1:14
Re-framing is a word counselors use to describe the ability people have to look at circumstances from another perspective. When people come into my office with various issues one of the major tasks I help them with is re-framing. It is usually easier for others to re-frame your problems than it is for you because they aren’t in the midst of them. It is similar to inviting an interior decorator into you home. They can usually take things you already own and move them around and then somehow your living room appears to have jumped out of a magazine. They are able to look at your old stuff in a different light - or re-frame it.
Re-framing is exactly what Paul was able to do in his letter to the church at Philippi. Paul is writing to his friends from prison when he says “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” Paul is able to see the bigger purpose for his imprisonment. He sees that God has given him a new mission field of people he would have not encountered otherwise and he is not waisting it. During his time in prison “it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” Can you say this about hardship in your life? Has it become clear the people you encounter due to your hardship know you are in metaphorical chains for Christ?
Take some time to personalize this scripture for yourself. Fill in these blanks with what is going on in your life as if you are writing this letter yourself :
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the ________________ and to everyone else that I ________________ for Christ. And because of my __________, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.”
Maybe for you it has become clear throughout the whole hospital and to everyone else that your cancer is for Christ. And because of your caner, most of the brothers and sisters you encounter at the hospital have become confident in the Lord and proclaim the gospel without fear. Or possibly, maybe for you it is something else. Don’t waste your metaphorical chains.
Author Bio
Dr. Rikki Permenter, MAMFC, Th.M., is the owner of Bent Tree Counseling in Clinton, La. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in the state of Louisiana. She is the wife of Cole Permenter, senior pastor of Bluff Creek Baptist. Interested in counseling or have questions? Check out her website www.benttreecounseling.com.
This article can be found in print in the monthly Baptist Association of Southeast Louisiana newsletter.
