Words of Wisdom

I received a lot of support yesterday at work because of my husband's lay off. It's so great to work in a place where people are so caring. One of the pastors came into my cubicle and had me get a bible out. He told me to open to Philippians 4:4-13.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Thanks for Their Gifts I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

He had me read through this pretty much word by word and really, really see what it was saying. He also added in thoughts and comments. Like in the first verse, it says rejoice twice. He asked me if I got that, and told me no matter what I should still be rejoicing because God is still God, I still have my friends and family, and life will go on, it just may look different than what I am used to, but that's okay. Then he brought up not being anxious for anything......yes, I really, really struggle with this one!! I really struggle with worrying, and I pray but I have an issue in totally turning everything over and not trying to fix it myself. These verses are loaded with great things, especially in the times we are in right now. It says: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Have you? Have I? No, but I'm hoping that God keeps being patient with me and helps me along in this journey of fully and completely trusting in Him and in knowing He will take care of me.

Take time to really, really go through them and really, really dig into them and see what it says, don't just buzz over it. Find comfort in these words today!!

Here it is in the New Living Version:
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.