This morning I sat here staring at the Scriptures on the page before me for a very long time before I began to write. I knew I wanted to write about joy but the words weren’t coming. When that happens I know to sit quietly and wait.
So I did.
“Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.” Philippians 4:7-9 CEV
” Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise “
Those words are not a suggestion – they are an imperative!
Here is the Apostle Paul’s instruction: don’t ever stop thinking about what is worthwhile and worthy of praise. There is nothing more worthwhile and praise worthy, there is nothing that will bring us more joy, than thinking about the Father’s love and care.
Paul had been beaten, shipwrecked, stoned, left for dead and imprisoned on numerous occasions and this was his instruction on how to stay focused and at peace. Peace that no one can completely understand, peace that will control the way we think and feel.
The storms we face in this life can be devastating without a proper anchor and that anchor for us is found in the Father.
“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19 This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls. In fact, hope reaches behind the curtain and into the most holy place.” Hebrews 6:18-19 CEV
The hope that we have in the Father’s promises, His unfailing, unchanging promises, steadies our souls (our mind, will and emotions) because it reaches to the very throne room of heaven. We have God’s promise that when we come to the throne room we will find help there in our times of trouble.
May I encourage you this morning to look beyond the storm – look through the dark clouds – and find the peace that only God can give. We aren’t promised a storm free life but we do have the Father’s promise of peace, even in the midst of it.
” Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise ”