Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
On May 24, 2017 at 11:30 my administrator walked in and told me after 3 years at this school I was no longer a good fit, and for the first time in 25 years I had no classroom to prepare for the coming school year. Over the summer I applied, send resumes and interviewed and I'm still waiting on a teaching job. Needless to say, I'm a little scared and worried. So I ask you my friend has anything happened in your life that took you off guard and changed the way your life was starting to look? If you are breathing oxygen, then the answer is probably yes. So what is a believer supposed to do in these situations. Well, Paul while chained between two guards on house arrest penned the above words to the church at Philippi. Lets look at them together.
1. Rejoice- replace your feelings of dread, fear, and impending doom with taking pleasure in your relationship with Christ. Sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs, rather than dwelling in the defeat. Before you say it, I know its easier said than done, but it is worth it for no other reason than to be in the presence of Jesus.
2. Rather than lash at people including those you felt did you wrong, be gentle. I will tell you that becomes more difficult as well meaning people want to commiserate with you and "take your side". We are told to forgive and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute us, and that sounds nice and spiritual but it takes real maturity to pull it off.
3. Don't sit and complain about the situation, fear, or problem, but instead approach the Throne of Grace and find help in the time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16) Tell your Father what is going on and allow Him to resolve the situation, perhaps this was designed to give you something better, or perhaps to teach you to be more Christ-like. Whichever it may be take it all to Him and lay it on the altar.
4. Accept the Peace HE offers. This world is not a peaceful place right now, there is strive and turmoil on every side including the church. It is tempting to give in to the worry, but Christ promises peace that will transcends all understanding will stand guard over your heart. Although there are several parts of my situation that I do no see a resolution for, I know Christ does and strangely I have peace that everything will be all right.
Keep these principles in mind as you walk through your storm today and allow the Holy Spirit to touch you and create in your a new spirit and give you the victory you are needing in your life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to rejoice and bring my issues to the Throne and to accept the peace You offer for my every situation. I pray in Jesus name AMEN.
May Grace and Peace be multiplied to you today.
Eric
A very good reflection for the time in which we are living . . . we each are faced with battles, we each have moments of fear and He is the only Peace that can be found :) :) Thank-you . . . Praying for you !!!!
ReplyDelete