Philippians — Paul's pastoral management of his congregation's grief over his suffering as evidence that his persecution was a given, publicly known reality

In Philippians Paul has to offer what Mike describes as pastoral therapy or counseling to a congregation distressed by his persistent suffering. He tells them not to grieve, that his suffering is serving to advance the gospel, and expresses willingness to count everything as loss for Christ's sake. The suffering itself is a given premise of the letter, not something being argued.