Mid-week Reflection, 13 April

I’m off to Spring Harvest, so I am posting this week’s reflection early. Please feel free to let me know if you find this blog helpful ----or not!!

God bless,

John

Mid-week reflection; Philippians Chapter 4

Scripture Union, “The Bible in a Year”.

Wednesday 13 April, Day 220.

CONSIDER

Paul ends his letter to the Philippians by talking of the strength and joy that he has gained from his relationship with Jesus. As a prisoner in Rome, he has enough on his plate to worry about but despite this he feels a profound sense of peace and closeness to God. Paul wants his readers to feel the same and chapter 4; verses 4 to 9 are as applicable to us today as they were to the Philippians.

Paul explains how we, too, can experience such peace and joy.

We are to replace our worry with prayer [verse 6]. We may feel burnt out by stresses at home or at work. Our anxiety levels rise to breaking point with financial difficulties or health concerns.

When we surrender our anxiety to God through prayer, however, our focus shifts from our own sense of helplessness to God’s provision.

Paul tells us that when we present our requests to God, we will experience “a peace, which transcends all understanding.” [verse7]. This is not a superficial peace resulting from improved physical circumstances, but a deep sense of calm that comes from knowing that God knows and loves us and that in the end all will be well.

PRAY

If you are striving with anxiety right now, spend time with God. Talk to him about your difficulties. While he may not remove immediately, he wants you to depend on his provision so that you can find the same peace that Paul experienced.

REMEMBER

“REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS; AGAIN I WILL SAY: REJOICE! [verse 4]