The thief that steals our joy

Based upon Philippians 4

This is a favorite passage for many but one that is hard to live out. If we can embrace the truths of our text then we can indeed say as Paul. "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice." But there is a thief who comes to steal that joy. That thief's name is worry.

Paul says in verse 6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." You'll notice Paul doesn't suggest that we deny our concerns but he does give us ways to deal with them. We bring them before the throne and then in faith we rejoice and thank God that he will help us with our burdens. Yes, thanksgiving is the key because it reminds us of our faith our foundation and our hope. It's easy to say thank you after you receive the blessing but saying thank you before we receive the help is an indication that we know the blessing is on the way.
It's when we have the proper balance of supplication and thanksgiving that we receive the Peace of God, which surpasses all understand, which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Worry is born in our minds as well as our heart. Our job is to allow God to transform our minds and our hearts. We allow the Lord to transform our minds by focusing them in the right direction. Paul says in verse 8 "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Thinking properly is another key to reducing worry. Like being thankful, it doesn't come second nature we must intentional. In this way it becomes a Spiritual discipline but like all other disciplines if we do it long enough it is easier and even second nature. Thinking about the bad in other and about our situations will only bring us down and heighten our worry.

The last prescription Paul offers about worry is to live a good life. Paul says, "Keep on doing that things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me and the God of peace will be with you you." Wouldn't it be great if we lived such exemplary lives that we could encourage others to follow what we have said and what we have done.

Peace of mind come through living a life of integrity. When we walk in sin our life tends to fall apart and when our life falls apart we have more things to worry about. A well disciplined life that works with God will bring blessing and peace. As a result we will have more to be thankful for and we will more good things to think about.

the Lord doesn't want us to worry. He wants to carry our burdens and give us rest. So let us pray with Thanksgiving. Think about those things that are praise worthy and walk with integrity and purpose in our living. When we do this the Lord will guard our hearts and our minds so Satan can't come in and steal our joy.