When Paul wrote to encourage and challenge the church in Philippi, he found himself isolated from the people he loved so dearly. He was forced to stay home on house arrest chained to a soldier. He missed the church in Philippi and longed to see them again.

We are not experiencing the chains of a Roman captivity. But we can all relate right now to what it means to be separated from each other, to feel isolated, and to long to see each other once again and be encouraged by one another. Because of this, we will find many of the things that Paul says easy to relate to and apply to our own lives.