Due to Daylight Savings Time implemented a few days ago, I am also waking up earlier. Today, I used that extra time to sing and pray and take communion. Then, as I was driving to work today, I was praying and talking with the Lord as I do pretty much every day.

I got to work and found myself in a pretty good mood, and immediately, the thoughts of all that is wrong came flooding into my mind… this person I love is sick and needs prayer, this friend requested I pray and share anything the Lord would say to me regarding the request, family concerns, world news, on and on and for a moment, it almost pulled me down! However, I snapped out of it and turned my eyes back on the answer. JESUS!

Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses in the Word of God: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Notice, it does NOT say, when all is well, think on these things, or try to imagine these things. No, no, no! It says, FINALLY….why finally? Well, let’s look at what it says prior to this verse in Phil 4:4-7…

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

It appears that the Apostle Paul was exhorting the Philippians to stay strong in their afflictions. He was encouraging unity and humility in their hard times. What can we learn from this today?

Here is my thought: never in our lives will everything be perfect on this earth. If the enemy can keep us focused on what is wrong, then he can keep us defeated and full of unbelief. Because, whatever you behold is what you become. (2 Cor. 3:18) If we focus on the issue, all that is wrong, we will be defeated, discouraged and a poor witness to the goodness and grace of God. One of the biggest lies I ever perceived was that “once you become a Christian, all is well”. Not so! Oftentimes, they seem to get worse. The truth is, once you accept Jesus, and you submit your life to Him, ALL things will work together for our good! (Romans 8:28)

My other thought process that I had to fight through has been this: all my life I have been a fixer, which would also make me a worrier. I often took the responsibility on myself of others’ issues and it wore me down. Therefore, I was always thinking of how the situation could be solved. Oh, I would pray, but I would not give it to God and trust Him. This caused me much sorrow and frustration. Then, one day, I read Phil. 4:8, and realized that it was not a suggestion, AND that God knew when He wrote this through the Apostle Paul, that things were going to be bad at times, and there would be issues. Notice, He doesn’t even address that part. He simply says (basically) THINK ON GOOD THINGS.

2023… war is all around, threats of violence, financial collapse, inflation is high, family situations, illnesses, strife, yada, yada, yada… What does the word say?

REJOICE in the Lord always – and again I SAY REJOICE! Don’t be anxious about the things that are wrong, but BY PRAYER AND PETITION, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. (and when you do, ) the peace of God, will blow past your mind and guard your heart and mind in the Lord! and FINALLY, (take your thoughts captive) and whatsoever is good, noble, trustworthy, and of a good report, THINK ON THESE THINGS!

You are in faith when you do this! You are also in denial…denying the enemy the right to take over your life and your thoughts. IT IS YOUR CHOICE! We must stay in faith! We must trust our God!

Rejoice! and do it again!
Refuse to be anxious or worry!
PRAY and DECREE what is troubling you to our Lord!
Be Thankful! (Thank Him in advance for all that He is doing and has done!)
REST in His PEACE! and then because you have done these things…
THINK ON GOOD THINGS and keep your focus on the Goodness of God!

It is not wrong or irresponsible of you to be cheerful and have peace when things are crazy all around you. It is actually the way of faith. Romans 2:4 tell us that is it the goodness of God that draws men to repent. If you are fearful and fretting like the rest of the world, why would they want to join us? But, the peace on you will be a draw to their hearts!

John 16:33 says – I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.”

That word cheer in the Strong’s concordance means to be of good courage, to be of good comfort and be cheerful. Christians should be the happiest people on earth, regardless of circumstances. (I am talking to myself, here, too!) We should be the ones with comforting words and full of courage! We know the One who will get us through, protect us and give us victory, here and in the life to come. WIN-WIN!

Jesus, through Paul, told us that we will have troubles in life, but that He has overcome the world. Therefore, we should be able to access and walk in peace and heart and mind because of this. Fix your thoughts on Him today, on good things. Be of good cheer, courage and comfort. Our God has overcome the world, and if You are a Christian, He lives on the inside of you. Access this today. Think on good things. Expect good things. He’s got us! Whatever may come, we will overcome and we can be of good cheer knowing He will get us through!