Wrestling to Resting

Philippians 4:1-7

REFLECTION

I have been dealing with a heavy burden troubling my heart. The pain and guilt of my past and the fear of the unknown is overwhelming sometimes. I feel so helpless and puny!

When I talked to some friends about my burden, one of them pointed me to this scripture. As I pondered these verses, God spoke to me.

“Rejoice in the Lord always!”

I allowed my heart to wrestle with this, asking, “But Lord, how can I possibly rejoice in this situation? Evil is getting the upper hand. What if it rears its ugly head again?”

He spoke tenderly to my heart, “I will say it again: Rejoice!” My wresting heart insisted, “But I must protect myself and those I love.”

He said to me, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” I questioned, “How can gentleness help me in this situation? I need to fight!” Then this phrase broke through my aching heart like the caress of a gentle wave. “The LORD is near!”

Did you notice that today’s passage begins with the word “therefore?” There were two women in Philippi who sharply disagreed with one another. There was strife, discord, maybe even anger or hatred. Yet Paul begins by saying THEREFORE.

Therefore what?

Paul is building on what he wrote in the previous chapter of Philippians:

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21

Our home is not here my friends! Division, anger, strife, the concerns of this life, not even EVIL itself will get the last word! He is coming back for us! He is bigger and stronger than anything we are facing. He holds ultimate power over all and is working through all.

THEREFORE – we can do as Paul pleads with us to do:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.”

Where is Jesus calling you to bring your anxieties to Him? How would coming into His presence and resting in the knowledge the HE IS NEAR help you? Where can you give thanks for ALL that He has done, is doing, and will continue to do in your life?

PRAYER

Jesus, be the center of my life. You invite me to bring to YOU my wrestling – the things that are making my heart anxious. I pour them out to you now. I REJOICE even in my fears, because You are near! As I rest in You! Let Your peace transcend ALL understanding. Guard my heart and my mind as ONLY You can! You are the God of Angel Armies! You are always by my side.