Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! … Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4, 6-7 NIV
Paul had discovered the secret to having a peaceful heart and a peaceful mind; rejoice always, never worry about anything and pray in every situation. To make such a statement, Paul’s life must have been relatively easy compared to yours and mine, right? Ironically, our difficulties most likely pale in comparison to the circumstances Paul faced! He actually wrote this statement from a prison cell. What horrible crime had he committed? He was simply preaching the gospel.
The Philippians reading his letter had first hand experience with Paul’s response to imprisonment. Acts 16 tells us about Paul’s first visit to Philippi, when he had cast a demon out of a slave girl who had been making money for her owners by fortune telling. When the demon was gone she was no longer profitable so they complained to the authorities and incited a crowd against Paul and Silas. The authorities ordered that they be stripped, severely beaten and placed in an inner cell with their feet in stocks. At midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. Can you imagine that? He wasn’t angry, depressed or anxious. He was rejoicing in God and bringing his request to Him. The jailer may have been guarding Paul’s body, but God’s peace was guarding his heart and his mind!
Paul’s goals in life were very simple; to know God and to help others know God. Could it be that Paul was able to rejoice in every situation because he allowed every situation to bring him closer to God? Trials have a way of doing that. Perhaps, if we were as single minded as Paul, we too could rejoice in every situation. I’m tempted to have a much longer set of goals, and when those goals are threatened I lose my peace of mind and anxiety fills my heart. Perhaps the very trials I encounter are designed to help me refocus and remove those things that pull me away from God.
There’s freedom in wanting nothing but God. Paul understood that nothing could separate him from the love of God, so there was never need to be anxious. As long as he kept his faith in tact, the world had no hold on him, no power to harm him. He was able to trust God’s control in every situation. If you are anxious about something today I encourage you to pinpoint exactly what it is that you’re afraid of. Is there any situation that can threaten your relationship with God? Does anything else really matter? If you can rejoice in God, bring your requests to him, and refuse to worry, God’s peace will guard your heart and mind.
Great thoughts here. It’s something that seems so easy, but can feel so hard to do. I am finding that when I’m feeling anxious, which is a lot these days, (I’ve been told I’m currently being refined in the fire which is pretty accurate and very painful) I just need to get in the Word and hear His voice. Paul was able to rejoice in Him while in prison so surely I can on my living room couch!
Thanks Laura, I agree, comparing our trials to Paul’s is definitely humbling and has a way of helping us put things in perspective.