MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024 WORRY

 MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024 - THING ABOUT THESE

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will repeat it: Rejoice! 

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 

THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS.

A lot of life is ATTITUDE.  These verses from chapter 4 of Philippians help me structure my attitude.

Verse 4 - Always rejoice (always doesn’t mean sometimes, or when you think about it - it means at all times and places).

Have you got a flat tire?  Rejoice.

Did you get a bank notice that you have been overdrawn? Rejoice.

Are you getting kicked out of your house/apartment for non-payment?  Rejoice.

Do you have cancer?  Rejoice.

Have you got a speeding ticket? Rejoice.

Fallen in Love?  Definitely Rejoice.

ALWAYS REJOICE

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Verse 5 -  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

Gentleness, kindness, loving, forgiving, and pleasant to be with.  Don’t be a crab, don’t complain, don’t fight.

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Verse 6:  Do not be anxious about anything. In every situation, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God by prayer and petition. 

Worry does nothing for you - it causes stress.  The other day, I misplaced my phone.  At first, I was worried.  Finally, I prayed and decided if it was lost and never to be found - so what?  Worrying about it doesn’t do anything.  [And, when I got home, it was in the usual place - but I had put something over it.]

I know some “worrywarts” - let’s take a big one - What if an asteroid smacks into the Earth and kills half the population?  So what?  I’m going to die anyway.  What if I get cancer?  So what?  I’m going to die anyway.  “Don’t worry, be happy”.

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Verse 7 -  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

This is the deep, perfect peace—peace deeper than you and I can imagine. It is like swimming in a beautiful lake of peace, having the best dream and deepest sleep you have ever had.

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Verse 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 

What is in your mind?  Worry, anxiety, evil thoughts, hatred, greed, lust, murder, and more?

Fix your mind to the beauty here - whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, DO IT.

Life is awesome - but time spent worrying is just wasted.  (And, If I wanted to waste time I’d play a computer game, Sudoku, Words With Friends.  Yes, I do get down occasionally - but I fight it.

The old Mad Magazine had Alfred E. Neuman as its character, and he is noted for saying, “WHAT, ME WORRY?”