Rejoice In The Lord! Read Philippians 4: 4-9 Karen

Rejoice In The Lord! Read Philippians 4: 4-9 Karen Makishima

At first glance, when you read this passage, the lyrics to the song “Don’t Worry Be Happy” might pop into your head and make you think, “Yeah, this is the way to get through this life.” Just embrace a laid back attitude that produces an “I ain’t gonna allow nothin’ to bother me – cuz it don’t matter” way of looking at life. However, for those of us who have experienced hardships that do matter, such as the loss of an unborn child, the abandonment of a father, the loss of a vibrant ministry, a brother in prison, a difficult marriage, how do we get through these tough times? Paul gives us the answer from a prison cell. He informs us that our inner attitudes do not need to reflect our outer circumstances. Like him, we can be filled with joy and peace even during life’s difficult times. Paul knew that Christ was with him no matter what happened. His confidence was in knowing that God is in control. All the energy that he could have put into worrying, he instead put into prayer. Worry and prayer cannot co-exist. Paul knew that worry was a sign of distrust in God. As he stated in verse 8, we must fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, right and pure, lovely and admirable, and think about those things which are excellent and worthy of praise. God’s gift to us is His peace. Verse 7 tells us that “His peace will guard our hearts and minds.” The word “guard” here means “to surround or protect” as soldiers would protect a city against hostile forces. We’ve all experienced times when we have allowed the cares and influences of this world to consume us, but if we put into practice these things Paul teaches, God’s peace will fall upon our hearts and minds. What a great gift this is! The peace of knowing that God is in control gives us the confidence that Paul exhibited and enables us to face life’s toughest situations.

P R AY E R Heavenly Father, help me to focus on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable. Thank You for your precious gift of peace that I receive when I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DAY 84 QUESTIONS What is the key to true inner peace? Have you ever experienced it?

Are you spending your time filling your mind with daily doses of TV news or negative thoughts and ideas, or are you seeking a positive, uplifting and pure diet to fill your mind with God’s thoughts and ideas?

MY REFLECTIONS Does any particular verse (SCRIPTURE) in today’s reading speak to you?

OBSERVE what this verse is saying to you:

How can you APPLY this verse to your life today?

My PRAYER for today is: