We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Lindsey Strickler.
Bible Reading:
Philippians 4:4-7
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Word:
This week has already been a lot for many people- this month, this year. The emotions as we work through world events, local events, and just the stuff happening at home, span a broad spectrum.
I don’t know about you, but for me, anger and anxiety have been some huge emotions that have welled up because there’s so much I can’t control. It’s been tempting for me to be consumed with what’s happening, and fixate my thoughts on them. On repeat are all the shoulds, woulds, and “we got to”s as I look for any possible way to find control over these situations.
There absolutely is a time to focus on action and what we can do, but it cannot consume us. Satan knows us well, and as the thief he is, he would love nothing better than to steel your joy. Don’t let him.
How do we keep him from doing that? Paul gave us an AMRAP of three actions in Philippians:
- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
- Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
He then gives us a promise. Not of physical comfort, but of spiritual and mental peace:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The harsh reality is that we’re just not home yet. The physical comfort we long for won’t be complete until we’re united with Jesus in Heaven. So until then, the greatest source of comfort and the lasting source is going to come from Him.
Prayer:
God, right now, rejoicing isn’t the first thing I go to. I’m frustrated by the situations around me right now. Help me know how to balance action, without being fixated and obsessed with what’s wrong in my world. Help me to AMRAP these verses in Philippians. To rejoice in you. To let my gentleness be what leads. To be able to pray and let thanksgiving being how I start talking to you, and then present what I need to you. Then trust you with the rest. It’s in Your name that I pray, amen.
Skillwork:
Print off the verses for today, make them the wallpaper on your phone, put them wherever you will see them regularly, then see how you can AMRAP them today, tomorrow, and the next day:
- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
- Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
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