The recent news cycle has featured multiple disheartening issues. A few of these include Israel being hit by Iranian ballistic missiles, Hurricane Helene tearing through Florida and majorly affecting the Carolinas, a port strike, and the grocery store panic that led to the shortage of many household shopping staples.
And those were just last week’s hot topics!
However, if you are reading this, it’s worth mentioning that you and I were given something we did not deserve – another breath and a chance to serve the Lord. But making that choice, especially when things are growing darker around us, can be a challenge. Sitting in the corner and complaining with the other down-and-outers often seems much easier than praising Him amid life’s (or the world’s) various storms.
Reading Paul’s epistles is a quick, great way to debunk these worldly thoughts and worry-fueled feelings. For instance, Philippians is filled with verses to help combat believers’ sulky attitudes, fears, and shortcomings. Rather than wallowing, the writer encourages readers to focus on topics such as contentment, rejoicing, and overcoming bad attitudes. But perhaps one of the most well-known passages in this book is its reminder to choose joy and peace amid anxiety.
In Philippians 4:4-6, Paul explains one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given us when he says,
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Emphasis added.)
Through Christ, we are given the gift of His peace. And might I add, this is not some halfway, halfhearted, unsteady peace. Paul teaches that even in the midst of our no-good, very bad days, the Lord is near and we needn’t be anxious.
So, how can we make these important truths stick?
In ordinary reading, like a novel, the words on a page are nothing more than dried ink. But thankfully, the Word of God is alive. And, as the Casting Crowns song so beautifully says, “it cuts like a sword through the darkness.”
It means that even though darkness may surround us personally, nationally, and globally, the words of Philippians ring just as true today as they did when they were written. We have hope!
But it gets better.
He didn’t leave us wondering how to receive His gift of peace and grace.
Paul shows us another guaranteed way to experience this peace which has to do with our thoughts in Philippians 4:8-9.
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 any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Yep, it’s that simple. If we want to remove the anxieties from our lives, we must dwell on what is good, holy, and excellent. By fixing our gaze on these things and the One who overcame them all, we can be peace-filled in a stress-centered world.
