September is coming to an end and very soon we shall be getting into the last quarter of the year. The years since the Covid-19 pandemic started have felt like one long endless year. Our lives have been disrupted like many of us have never seen before. Our children have had to adapt to distance learning while we also navigated our way around remote working.
Understandably, we have spent a significant amount of time watching the news, reading articles and seeing people’s opinions on different things. A lot of it has been angry , discouraging and oftentimes frightening.
The book of Philipiians is often considered to be one of the apostle Paul’s most joyful letters. It is also one of the letters that he wrote when he was in prison for preaching the gospel. What then was the secret to his joy?
We see throughout chapter 4 Paul imploring the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord and carry all their anxieties to Him. Paul’s secret was where his attention was. He talks about how he knows to be in different circumstances of life, whether he is in lack or has plenty, hungry or satisfied, his joy is intact because his focus is on God.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
Every morning when you wake up, you have a choice to make about what will get your attention that day.
Challenge yourself to keep your focus on God and seek His perspective in all situations and His peace which surpasses understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV