We live in a crazy time. With the Covid virus, a lot of political stuff going on, and social distress, we live with a lot of stress. A study from 2019 says that 75% of adults live with a lot of stress everyday. Another study says that 40% of adults deal with worry every day.
Paul deals with the topic of worry, in the Bible.
Philippians
Paul uses the word, rejoice, twice. Why? We have a lot of reasons to rejoice. Paul, was in prison when he wrote this. He could have looked down. But, he had a lot of reasons to rejoice.
We Have Great Reason to Rejoice as Christians
The phrase 'in the Lord' is found 46 times in the New Testament.
- 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31
We are justified, sanctified, set apart from the world.
- Romans 5:1
Redeemed, means a ransom that has been bought back. We are to redeemed, therefore
- 1 Corinthians 15:55-58
- Ephesians 5:8
- Ephesians 6:10
- Philippians 2:19
We can trust in the Lord, as Paul did. We have great reason to rejoice, because we are Christians, because we are in the Lord.
Paul, in prison, not knowing what could happen to him knew that he could rejoice because he was, in the Lord.
- Philippians 4:5
- Matthew 28:20
To those who are in Christ, the Lord being near is a good thing. We have reason to joy.
Dealing with Worry
- Philippians 4:6
When stresses do come, we can take comfort in knowing that we can lay our burden upon the Lord.
- Matthew 6:25,27, 32
As a person, there are so many things that can cause us worry. But, we are not to be pulled to and fro, worrying about our food, our raiment, for the Lord will provide them. We are, in the Lord, therefore we do not need to worry.
- Luke 10:38-42
Martha was pulled from here to there. All the things around her was causing her stress and pulling her away from what was really important.
- Philippians 4:6
In everything, we are to go to the Lord. When we have stress in our lives, go to the Lord. When we have joy in the world, go to the Lord, and give thanks.
Look to the Positive, instead of Worry
Perhaps, we need to look toward the positive.
- Philippians 4:8
We have to transform our minds to have that joy that Paul has. We must think on the things that are true, sincere, free from deceit. We live in a world full of false information.
This false information can cause us stress.
We can focus on...
- things are true
- things are honest
- things are just
- things are pure
- things are lovely
- anything of virtue
- anything praise worthy
When we think on these things, when we have a transformed mind, we can have great peace.
- Philippians 4:9-10
This peace is of great comfort for those who are able to find it.
- Matthew 11:28
Christians Can Have Great Peace, Free from Worry
Being able to take that stress and put it on the Lord, is what brings us great peace. Therefore, because Paul had that peace, he was content.
- Philippians 4:11
Paul knew how to be content. Paul says he have learned to be content because he knew that the reward was greater than what he was facing.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23
Paul went through a lot in his life. Yet, he could write to the Philippians and say, rejoice in the Lord, because he knew that the reward at the end of his life was great.
Isaiah 51:
Isaiah had just seen this image of what was going to happen to the Israelites, of the Babylonians destruction of Jerusalem. Yet, God reminds him that He is in control.
Today, we can ask... Who is in control.
But, we know the answer... God is in control... therefore, why are we worried?
We can know that the Lord is in control. That brings us peace, that brings us joy.
As Christians we have great reasons to rejoice. We are redeemed, bought back. When things are tough, we can lay the stress upon the Lord. We focus on the positive things, therefore we aren't tossed to and fro, but rather can have peace.
If you aren't a Christian, you don't have that peace. The stress, and worry are still on you.
If you aren't a Christian you can make that change today. You have to be in the Lord. You have to be baptized into Christ, Romans 6:3-6.
You have to hear, believe, repent of your sins, confessing that Jesus is the son of God, and be baptized into Christ to have your sins washed away. And, you too, can have peace and joy in the Lord.
Ephesians 1:3
If we can assist you in coming to know the peace in the Lord, please contact us.