Today has been quite a day. If I am honest, I did not handle it very well. If you asked my family they would agree that I was definitely in rare form. I started the day with anxiety at 5:00 a.m. and rained on every parade around me. It’s a good thing that I am not a curser or I might have embarrassed myself. I was about to launch into my eighth tirade toward my wife (who by the way was not the culprit in my issues) when she gently reminded me that some days are just more difficult than others (don’t you just love kind people). And then it hit me that I just don’t like tough days and tough days are part of the equation. As the song says, “momma said there’d be days like this there’ll be days like this momma said” (you can sing along if you like). I don’t like the apostle James’ exhortation to consider it all joy WHEN you encounter various trials. Not IF you encounter trials but WHEN. Seems that James knew there would be days like this before Terri and we are supposed to welcome them with joy not self absorbed idiocy (like I did). Sorry, Ter! Maybe tomorrow will be better. Maybe some day I will grow up. I hope so.
-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
Life and times of the howitzers 
Philippians 4
Worry, worry, worry! How many Christians lose their joy and peace because of worry! In this chapter, Paul tells us that the secure mind—the mind that is guarded by the peace of God—frees us from worry. Of course, the believer who does not have the single mind (chap. 1), the submissive mind (chap. 2), and the spiritual mind (chap. 3) can never have the secure mind. We must first live what Paul describes in the previous three chapters before we can claim the promises and provisions of this final chapter. What is worry? Our English word “worry” comes from an Anglo-Saxon word that means “to strangle”; worry certainly does strangle people physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The Bible term “be careful” or “be anxious” means literally “to be torn apart.” Worry comes when the thoughts in our mind and feelings in our heart pull in different directions and “tear us apart.” The mind thinks about problems, and these feelings weigh down the heart, creating a vicious circle that wrecks our emotional state. Our minds tell us we should not fret, but we often cannot control the anxiety in our hearts! We have to break this circle of worry before we can enjoy peace. What causes worry? Wrong thinking and attitudes toward people, circumstances, or things. Notice here in chapter 4 that Paul has no worry about people (vv. 1-5), circumstances (vv. 10-13), or the material things of life (vv. 14-19). Of course, Paul had the single mind of chapter 1 and gained victory over circumstances; he had the submissive mind of chapter 2 and overcame troublesome people; and he had the spiritual mind of chapter 3 and triumphed over physical circumstances. So it was natural for him to have the secure mind of chapter 4. His mind and heart were at peace and could not be disturbed by people, circumstances, or things. In this chapter, Paul gives us God’s four-fold remedy for worry.
I. God’s Presence (4:1-5) “The Lord is at hand” does not mean “His coming is soon,” but that He is near to help us right now. Euodia and Syntyche (v. 2) were two women in the Philippian church at odds with each other, and Paul encouraged them to make things right. Remember this: worry often comes when we do not make things right with people. We must face differences honestly and do what God wants us to do (see Matt. 18:15-17). “Moderation” in v. 5 means “sweet reasonableness.” It is wonderful when Christians can have convictions and yet be easy to get along with! If we keep in mind that the Lord is with us in every circumstance, then it is easy to obey Him and get along with other people. If we would but rejoice in Him and get our eyes on Him instead of on people, we would have His joy and peace. Note the admonitions Paul gives: stand fast in the Lord; be of one mind in the Lord; rejoice in the Lord; the Lord is near at hand! This is “practicing the presence of Christ,” seeing Him in every situation of life, and letting Him work out His perfect will.
LikeLike
If you want to read more of Philippians 4 let me know.
IN HIS GRIP
Chuck Howi
LikeLike
I believe In Philippians 2:13 we read:
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
and so you will see that God cannot work through us until first He works in us.
Some would say, ” a penny for your thoughts”; but I would say to you, if the thoughts belong to God
He will shower you with all the gold you can handle.
IN HIS GRIP Chuck Howi
LikeLike
For those who really know my sweet husband, you know that he’s waayyyyyyy too hard on himself!
LikeLike