Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 ESV)
Many people would agree that the idea of expressing joy or gladness in the midst of life’s challenges, can be difficult to fathom. However, that is exactly what Scripture says we should do, in Philippians 4:4-7. Thankfully though, that same passage of Scripture gives us encouragement about what to do when we are stressed and anxious.
This note comes at a time when I have found myself very stressed by the pace of life and demands on my time, so when I felt this Scripture had been laid on my heart to look at this month, I was baffled. My response was, “Lord, how can I write about rejoicing when I am so anxious over things myself?” It wasn’t long before I started to realize that I needed to receive the message in this Scripture myself, as much or more than anyone else.
I had been attempting to accomplish all of the necessary tasks in a very efficient and productive manner, but I was forgetting the most important part. I was trying to do it all in my own strength and not depending on God, as I should have been. I was attempting to carry the load myself, instead of asking Him to help me. Once I realized my problem and repented of it, things have started to change instantly.
The realization that I need God’s help with everything I do, has given me the opportunity to see His faithfulness firsthand. I’ve learned that when I invite Him into my daily circumstances, He will come and He will help me navigate my way through every situation. Knowing that, has inspired me to approach everything with anticipation for God’s faithfulness and thankfulness in my heart, which enables me to live in a peace that truly surpasses understanding.
What a joy it is to know that I don’t have to carry all of life’s burdens myself. It’s not too late to ask for the Lord’s help, then, let the rejoicing begin!
