COMMANDMENTS
Philippians 4.8
8. "Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is and excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."
This advice of Paul seems very simple and not really significant in its context and even looks like a little bit childish like when the father advice his children to be good, but it has very serious and very important implication and significance in its result in our lives.
The GOD Father and His Son treat us as Their Own children, just like any earthly father and mother treat their children and wanted their children to be good, honorable, and obedient in order to have good future and long lasting productive and prosperous life. The same things and GOD wanted for His children, and Paul very well described it in this passage.
On these simple things, which everyone on Earth knows it, relate to our forgiveness, blessing, Spiritual growth, prosperity, long lasting life, and salvation. Of course, one can say, "It is easier to say then do it," and for this reason Paul presented himself as example of these things and advised Philippians to practice these same things what they have seen in Paul, and the GOD of Peace will be with them also (9).
The Laws, the Rules, and the Commands of GOD are not complicated things and not difficult at all, and understood by all who have human mind, intelligence, and the spirit that fear the Lord. (Psalms 19.7-11 (of David).
ADAPTING TO CIRCUMSTANCES
Philippians 4.11-13
In these verses Paul shows how he live and adapting his life to all circumstances, bad or good, and to all adversities what happens in his life. While being holy and blessed man by GOD, Paul does not lived in luxury or material prosperity, Paul often suffered from many different things and many times was hungry and in need. But Paul said, "I can do all things through Him Who strengthen me." (13).
So called "Christians" often disappointed then something going wrong in their lives or when they did not receive what they ask and their faith because of it became weak and feeble, and even dead.
It should not come as surprise to any who call themselves as Christians that our life must also have adversity, suffering, and despair for the Name and in the Name of Christ, and not for any other reasons.
Because of it Paul prepared and adapted himself to any adversity he may counter, and go through it remembering the Name of Jesus Christ, and rely not on himself or on anyone else, but only on the Lord his GOD (13) Who already let Paul know that he will suffer for His Name. (Acts 9.13-16, 20.22-23).
~ Suffering for the Name of Christ: (Psalm of David 34.19) (Matthew 10.22, 24.13) (Mark 13.13) (Luke 21.17-19) (John 15.21).
Peter even described suffering for the Name of Christ as a special Privilege to be WORTHY to suffer for His Name (Acts 5.40-42), and to be WORTHY of the Kingdom of GOD as described by Paul (2Thessalonians 1.5).
Paul also described suffering for Christ as PRIVILEGE: "He has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for Him as well," Philippians 1.29 (NRSV).
And as definition of the suffering in the Name of Christ Paul issued this statement.
2Timothy 3.12
12. "And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
So, according to Paul and others the suffering for the Name of Christ is completely different suffering than among non-believers, and we should, as Paul teach here, be prepared for it and take it as PRIVILEGE and HONOR in the Name of Christ then it comes to us, and not as misfortune, shame, curse, or a bad luck as it understood among non-believers, but as the PRIVELGE and HONOR in the Name of Christ.
Of course, not everyone of the Christians will suffer for the Name of Christ, but only those who are chosen by GOD. Some will go to Heaven without sufferings, because on everything is the will of GOD and He tests each and every one of us by many different means, including suffering.
But because we do not know who will suffer and does not, we shall be prepared and ready to face any adversity that comes toward us, tribulations and sufferings, and adapt ourselves to all possible circumstances as Paul prepared and adapted himself, because it may happen to any of us unexpectedly.
Tribulations in Christians produces positive effect (Romans 5.3-5) in terms of building the character and strengthens the faith in Christ even more (James 1.2-4). In general description, suffering also presented under this context as TEST in many other verses of the Bible, and this test whatever it may be produces endurance and faith of all who truly follow the Christ.
If we want to be like Christ in all of His goodness, and so we may also suffer like Christ in all of His tribulations, in order to be complete in His Image just like Christ fully complete in Image of His Father.