Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, 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. 9Whatever 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.
Philippians 4
Here’s a totally blessed passage. We will experience turbulence as sinful humans, living among sinful humans. (I love Isaiah’s first reaction on seeing the glory of God. “Woe is me, for I am man of unclean lips, and I live amidst a people of unclean lips, and mine eyes have seen the glory.”)
We are in a potentially worrisome situation at the moment, which I won’t share because of verse 8.
What does God say amidst it?
Do not be anxious
Pray
Thank me, I can bring amazing things out of it.
Pray again.
Accept my peace.
Think of what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
Be good.
And the God of peace will be with you.
PTLA, praise God for everything is a popular theology of praise
And that makes sense, because God can bring beauty out of ashes, turn bitter waters sweet, turn water to wine.
I love you, God!!