We accumulate, assimilate, and marinate on our troubles. (Just love how the pastor put those three words together!) How can we have peace in these times? With all of the anxiety swimming around in our heads, it’s tough! Those are the times when I lay awake at night tossing and turning as I worry about how I can fix whatever the problem is. When I realize it’s something God needs to fix and I pray about it, I’m not surprised any more when the problem is solved rather quickly.
As we looked at the scripture for the sermon, we see Paul, once again, encouraging the Philippians:
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5
Paul’s circumstances were dire. He’d worked harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. He received lashes from the Jews, beaten with rods, was stoned, shipwrecked 3 times, and in danger from bandits and rivers to name a few. (See 2 Cor 11:23-29)
When I think of what Paul and the other disciples endured to carry the message of redemption to people, anything I endure pales in comparison.
Paul is in prison awaiting his sentencing, but instead of worrying about it, he put his faith in Jesus.
Instead of feeling anxious about the things in life, we have to give it to God. He is in control and he left the Holy Spirit here as a helper for us.
How often do you think about Jesus during the average day? In the morning, at meal time, or when you go to bed? We have to be intentional about connecting with him. Pray throughout the day. It can be a moment when you whisper praise or lift a concern. He doesn’t care how long or short your prayers are, but he does want you to talk to him.
God knows what we need before we ask. There is not an area of our lives that he doesn’t know about. But, we do have to take those things to him in prayer. Supplication and petition are times that we go directly to God and ask him to do something.
These concerns often go unanswered because we don’t address them to him. We may worry about them, but we don’t go to our knees and pray.
Use your words…God waits for us to acknowledge our concerns. Sometimes the words are a jumbled mess in my head and I have trouble actually putting a complete sentence together, He wants us to be invested in it.
When we pray, we have to let go of the responsibility. It’s kind of like the little boy who can’t get his hand out of the vase until his father realizes he’s holding onto the penny. In the same way, we have to let go so God can handle it in his way.
Our prayers must have thanksgiving in them. Trust that he will provide the solution. Maybe not the solution that we wanted, but it will be the best solution.
7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
The peace of God is beyond our imagination. Just accept this peace because it’s difficult to understand. We get in trouble when we think we’re bigger than God. It’s bigger than us!
The peace of God is absent when we think we have to do it all. It’s his peace that guards our hearts.
What we choose to dwell on is what we will become. Choose to dwell on Christ!
We have to be intentional about our relationship with Christ. We can’t just go through life and think it’s going to happen on it’s own. It requires some investment of our own. I get it. Life gets busy. That’s why we have to make it a priority. We give our time to the things that are important to us.
Is Jesus, the one who died to give you eternal life, important to you? Prove it!
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 