Guest Contributor: Lindsey Post
Philippians 4:4-7 says “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 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.”
So much to unpack in these few verses.
At first read, it might feel like a list of dos and don’ts. Another pass through, and it might feel restrictive. Or trite. Or insulting in the face of pain, mental health struggles, and anxiety. “Oh sure, I’ll just smile and pray some more, and my depression will – poof – disappear and be replaced with visions of sugarplums ….” (oh wait, wrong verse).
“Life is pain,” as that famous line from The Princess Bride goes. There is no denying that we see struggle, grief, conflict, poverty, pain (the list goes on) around us everywhere we look. Each of us has something with which to contend. Openly, secretly, alone or supported.
Think about how you felt when you first read those verses today. What was your reaction? Did you feel resistant, apathetic, invited, relieved?
Read through the passage again. As you read, enter into the presence of Jesus. Imagine him next to you. Don’t imagine a list of dos and don’ts or criteria for how to approach God, but rather an invitation to draw near no matter the situation.
“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 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.”
What would you like to say to Jesus? Is there anything causing you worry and anxiety right now? Pause and voice your concerns and requests to him at this time.
“Rejoice! … with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Perhaps joy is a close companion today, or perhaps joy seems like a long-lost relative or the friend that everyone except you seems to know. What can you be thankful for today. Think of one thing, “big” or “small”, that you can hold in thankfulness today. Bring it before God.
Now envision the peace of God, which is more perfect, more complete, more radical than we can imagine, enwrapping you – a blanket of protection, a shield against harm.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, Immanuel, God With Us, thank you that you are the God who draws near. As we approach Christmas and remember the advent of your birth, we also await the advent of your return. We look forward with hopeful anticipation to when your peace will reign with perfect fullness. As we wait and struggle with this earthly life, wrap us in the protection of your peace, as we rejoice in the redemption that your first coming made possible.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Breath Prayer to take with you through the week
[Breathe in]: I rejoice in you.
[Breathe out]: Enwrap me in your peace.
