“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forebearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 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 comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).
When I’m commanded in Scripture to “rejoice,” something in me wants to resist. “Really?” I’ll think, “always? Who can do that?” How can I show my forebearance if I don’t care what others see in me when I have a right to be upset? Anybody else tracking with me?
But what follows here begins to soften my stance. If I can tell God what I feel in my gut and thank Him that He’ll listen, all of a sudden I’m aware that He’s near. It’s plain for anyone to observe when I incorporate His offer of peace. We can’t fake that kind of confident calm. Having peace in the midst of turmoil and trial defies explanation and human logic.
The part that nails it for me, though, is how Jesus, Himself, will garrison my heart and mind when I put myself and my need before the Father. We are in relationship, and He cares enough to help every time I’m anxious. No excuse. No wallowing or self-indulgent drama. Handing over my problems, I take on His gracious spirit of patient endurance.
Sounds simple, but it takes a lifetime of practice. Forebearance isn’t natural. It says, “Just leave it alone…When provoked, resist overreacting. My God is near, and that’s all I have to know.” We’re not holding it in. We pray in intimate communion, knowing He will not only listen, but will give His power to have self-control, content with whatever current lot I’m living. That makes for a gladdened heart, and I rejoice.
Rejoicing doesn’t come first, however. First we acknowledge His presence and concern for anything that touches us. We trust we’ll be accepted and can reveal our sensitive longings and frustrations. Only a special friend can do that for us. “Thank You, Lord!” Yet there’s even more. The sense that all will be well comes when we exercise our faith. In my mind and in my heart I know, despite the actual circumstances at the moment, He is adequate. Every time. And I rejoice.
So what can you unburden yourself with? In what area do you need quiet, security, order? Where do you want freedom? Can you give up emotions that disturb? He is near. He is able to bring tranquility where there’s agitation. He’ll take it, if we can give it up. And maybe others in your life will learn to do this when they see how it works. “Again, I say, rejoice!”
No Resistance
Lord, who knows me inside out, help my tendency to resist You. Open my eyes to my options when my mind is closed and my heart is hard. Don’t let me prolong the anxiety. Don’t let me keep hold of unnecessary weights that drag my spirit in the dust. Angry, hurt, disappointed, despairing. Lift my head and open my mouth to tell You how it is. As a habit, not as a last resort. Train me to be thankful that You are near, and I can ask for Your help. Always, without exception, because Jesus is alive.
My God is not distant or distracted. He doesn’t avoid me or my concerns. He doesn’t keep a record of my requests and tell me I’ve reached my quota. In Christ Jesus, I have unlimited access to His heart. I’m loved in my weakness, not rejected. I rejoice and shout out Your praise! Oh my deliverer, amen.
In the Middle of the Struggle
“Don’t let your heart be troubled, or let it be afraid;
For the peace He gives to you, the world can’t take away…
In the middle of the struggle there’s a quiet place you can go.
Be still and know that He is God, be still and know—
Right in your heart there is a temple; Come and bow before the throne.
Be still and know that He is God, be still and know—
He sees all of your troubles and knows every care,
His peace will guard your heart, your mind through His Son, Jesus Christ.
No greater hope is known, no greater love is shown…
Be still and know that He is God, be still and know.”
-Kim Hill
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