Be Confident God Is Working In You

A good work that carries on until Christ returns

I’ve held onto this truth since I first chose to follow Jesus, and I keep coming back to it in life and ministry. In many ways, it’s simple, and most Christians would echo it without thinking twice. Yet the weight of this truth has carried me through failure, pressure, and seasons when I wasn’t sure what God was doing: God completing a good work in you.

It all centers on one promise found in Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church:

Philippians 1:3–6 (ESV) “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

The church in Philippi isn’t perfect. They had issues, tensions, and real struggles. And yet, Paul chooses to encourage them, to build confidence in them on what God is doing in and through them.

Seeing People Through God’s Work

I’ve had moments in ministry where it’s hard to feel thankful for everyone. If you’ve been around church life long enough, you know what I mean. Misunderstandings happen. Preferences clash. Sometimes people hurt you.

Paul knew all of that, and still, he thanked God when he remembered them. That’s been a good challenge for me. It pushes me to step back and remember something bigger than the moment of frustration or dissapointment. These are people God is working on, and people He’s called me to shepherd.

Paul continues his encouragement:

Philippians 1:4–5 (ESV) “In every prayer… I pray with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel…”

Even when it’s messy, there’s still the common ground of the Gospel. That matters more than preferences, styles, or disagreements. I’ve had to remind myself of that in real conversations, in leadership decisions, and even driving home after a long day.

It might not feel like it now, but we’re not enemies. We’re partners.

Why Confidence Changes Everything

Verse 6 is the anchor of the passage, bringing the central principle of God completing a good work in you:

Philippians 1:6 (ESV) “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…”

That’s the reason Paul can pray with joy. God isn’t finished. Not with them, not with me; not with you.

When someone frustrates us, this is where we need to go. God started something in them. Which changes how we respond. It slows us down, and brings patience into the situation that we wouldn’t have on my own.

When You Feel Like You’re Failing

The final reminder is that this isn’t just about how we see others. Which hits close to home for me because there have been seasons where I’ve felt like I’ve blown it.

It might have been decisions I wish I could take back. Sin I had to bring before the Lord again. Moments where leadership felt overwhelming and I questioned if I was even getting it right.

Maybe you’ve been there too? In those moments, verse 8 is helpful:

Psalm 138:8 (ESV) “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me…”

This is a foundational truth that closes out Paul’s previous thought. God doesn’t abandon what He’s started. When ministry feels heavy, relationships feel strained, and you see your weaknesses clearly, God is completing a good work in you.

Join the Conversation; Answer This Question

• Where do you need to trust that God is still working in your life right now?