I remember as a young boy watching the highly cultural TV program “Hee Haw.” One of my favorite segments of the show was when I heard these words belted out in song: “Gloom, despair and agony on me; Deep, dark depression, excessive misery; If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all; Gloom, despair and agony on me.”
What an encouraging song, uh? Not! Yet, it seems many people today would agree this would be a great theme song for the times in which we live. There is bad news all around. It seems there is tragedy after tragedy unfolding. So how can we keep our sanity?
One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Philippians 4. Paul was sitting in prison while he penned these words, yet he offers to Christians God’s instructions for getting our minds in order.
No. 1. Rejoice in the Presence of God. Philippians 4:4-5, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Paul is stating the truth that God is with us. My life is not determined by luck but rather by the sovereign hand of almighty God. What an incredible truth! Whatever we face, God is with us. That gives me reason to rejoice always.
Then we must, No. 2, rely on the Power of God. Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” If you have a problem, tell God about it instead of worrying and fretting. Trust God. Worry about nothing and pray about everything.
No. 3. Reflect on the provision of the God. Now, he says in verse 6, when you’re asking God to help you, to do it with thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving holiday is approaching. There is no higher expression of faith than thanksgiving.
However, I also believe that worry is the highest expression unbelief? Refuse to worry. Tell God about it and whatever you are dealing with (remember that Paul was in prison) give thanks for the blessings you have. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and focus on your blessings. Don’t take things for granted but take them with gratitude.
Thank God for His provision. I've learned this, as I have gone through life: Unthankful people are always unhappy people. Some people, rather than being humbly grateful, are grumbly hateful. They are filled with bitterness, fear, selfishness and self-pity. Get your mind in order.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The peace of God is there to guard you and to protect you.
Paul had the joy of the Lord to gladden him and the peace of God to guard him. This peace is not from circumstances or situations. This peace is the peace of God. Bible peace is not the subtraction of problems from life. It is the addition of power to meet those problems. You don’t keep this peace but this peace keeps you.
Jesus said, "My peace I leave with you" (John 14:27). That’s for you. It is a peace that the world cannot give and it is a peace the world cannot take away. Find your peace in Him.
"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3).
The Rev. Mike Dixon is pastor of Sandy Bottom Baptist Church.