Today, I am tired of controversy, speculation, and recriminations. I admit to having been keeping track of the political comments my friends are making or sharing on a well-known social media site. I have made a few myself. And I am tired, stressed, and have had an impending stress headache for several hours. So, what do I have to say now? The same thing I said yesterday, today, and tomorrow is what I have to say. This is it.
Let me break down Philippians 4 into plain American English. This is my paraphrase:
"Be happy in the Lord all the time. This is very important -- we must rejoice. Have restraint in your life, so all men know you are to be trusted, do not be full of excess in your life. The Lord is near (all the time) and He is coming soon. (As we can see now--soon is relative in meaning to us. We think soon is next week or next year, but it could be longer to the Lord.) But live like Jesus will come today. Live a life that pleases Him.
Don't live your life in fear, worrying about everything. Bring all your concerns to God in prayer with thanksgiving to God, because we know He answers prayer and He knows best. If you pray believing in God's answer for whatever you pray, you will have peace that surpasses anything you have ever known. This peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, where they should be.
Finally, brothers, think on things that you know are true, are honest, and are right. Keep your minds on things that are pure, things that are lovely (wonderful, beautiful) and those things that are good about other people and life. If there is anything virtuous or good, and if there is anything to be thankful about and about which to praise God, think these good thoughts."
Father in Heaven, I thank you for Your peace that encompasses me. I can rest in You, knowing that there is nothing which is out of Your reach. This earth, this universe, everything in it is Yours. I trust Your wisdom, Your grace, and Your mercy, Lord. Help me and my brothers and sisters in Christ to remember to lay our lives and our concerns into Your hands, trusting Your will to be done and thanking You for the answers. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Philippians 4: 4-8 (King James Version)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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I would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading "Take Comfort", and God bless you. Sincerely, Deborah