It is interesting to me how hard life can be sometimes and then so easy at another. So easily we forget what we are called to as believers. Do you ever notice that either two extremes happen when life gets tough?
One, you cling to the cross.
Two, you completely wallow in your pain.
I have seen both extremes this last month. Thank the Lord, the wallowing part is only for about an hour or two at a time and not days at a time. But, in those moments, it is somehow so easy to forget all the wisdom and knowledge the Lord gives you in preparation (Matthew 7:25 “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”) for those times and to focus solely on your pain and your worrying.
There is a great passage that I have always loved that speaks truth to this. It is in Philippians. Chapter 4 to be exact.
“1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”
Paul starts off telling the believers to stand firm in the Lord. This is so important. In hard times, you must be strong and disciplined. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Our heart is what flows the springs of life. We need to stand firm and guard our hearts in all vigilance to protect that.
He continues in verse 4:
“4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
There are a lot of things to take into account when reading these verses. Verses 4 and 5 are important. We need to remember that one, we are to rejoice always (in all circumstances) because the Lord is at hand. Anything in this world does not matter–hard circumstances–they all are so bleak in comparison to the Lord’s return.
Then he proceeds into verse 6 to 9. He commands us to not be anxious about anything. But, with the Lord’s coming in mind, to rid ourselves of anxiety, and to put on prayer and supplication, to put on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellence, worthy of praise, etc. Then to also put into practice the things you have learned, received, heard, and seen Paul practice and preach.
.::If you do those things, the God of peace will be with you::.
He continues on in verses 11-13, 19-20:
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
There are great things to be learned from Paul in this excerpt. Being content in circumstances is something that is learned. It is not something you just pray about and it magically happens. You MUST work at it. You MUST learn to be content. You MUST learn to rely on the strength of the Lord. Paul has it extremely right when he says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” It’s only through Christ that we can do anything. We do not live, move, speak, breathe, walk, sit down, rise, dance, sing, think, understand, gain wisdom, fall down, get back up, create, learn, etc., without Christ’s grace in our lives.
Psalm 90:4-6, 10, 12 “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and it is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers…The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away…So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom…satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.“
Psalm 94:10-11 “He who disciplines the nations, does he not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge–The Lord–knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.”
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Our lives are but a breath, the Lord’s coming is near, we have been given “the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us” (Ephesians 2), he will supply all of our needs. We have no reason to worry or be anxious; he is good and his steadfast love satisfies and allows us to rejoice and be glad all our days!!!!!
To Be Continued… =)
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