“Be cheerful with celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.” Philippians 4:4-9 TPT
It can be a bit of a challenge, at times, to be cheerful. Personally, I have found that the closer I feel to my Father, and the more I rely on His Word, the easier the challenge. Prayer, of course, is simply a must, along with unshakable faith. Although, he knows it all, like any Dad, he awaits our time with him to explain our day, as we share with him our problems and praises. Peace comes as we learn to turn our anxieties into prayers.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is explaining the importance of our relationship with Jesus, our mind-set, and our time spent at his feet as we pray. Gentleness should become our nature, along with being honorable, admirable, beautiful and kind. Can you imagine a life without anxiety? Paul tells us to turn our worries into prayers. Our peace will come as we fasten our thoughts on the glorious work of our Father, praising him, knowing it can be ours, all for the asking!
Heavenly Father, help us to remember, that in your love for us, you gave Jesus, and that through him, we find our peace, and be ever so thankful.
In Christ Love
Margaret