Philippians 1:14 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.

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you (verse 6). Paul was confident. We quote this verse often and then say: “be confident”. Yet let’s remember where Paul’s confidence came from and where his “brothers and sisters” got their condidence from.

Paul’s confidence came from the fact that he knew he was in the middle of God’s will, even though he was chained. Living as a Christian means to be willing to be chained for doing what is right. Paul knew he had done the right thing, and that God was in control. And that “chained confidence” gave the brothers and sisters unchained confidence.

They were ready to proclaim the gospel “without fear” because their leader was without fear. They were ready to be unchained in their proclamations, because their leader was chained for his convictions.

Leaders need to be willing to be chained for doing what is right. That will set followers free to do the right thing. Living fearlessly in times of viral fear.