My Daily Pause

Philippians 4:10-11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Paul was genuinely appreciative of the gifts sent to him, but he wasn’t dependant on them for happiness and in fact being prosperous didn’t really offer him contentment.

Today, we are no strangers to being influenced by wanting more. The American culture is becoming more and more service based rather than being a culture that makes and kills only what it needs to survive. It has become cheaper and easier to just buy these things from someone else, so our industrial and manufacturing concerns are shrinking. Ultimately the desire to have more and more causes us enough stress to never be able to enjoy the things we are working for.

A life lived in Christ will be fulfilling and blessed with all that is needed.

Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

To sum it up in a couple of words, the Philippian epistle is often called the “happy letter”. Paul was Nero’s prisoner and Christians were beginning to truly understand what persecution was, yet Paul penned a very upbeat and encouraging letter.

We have never been promised an easy life just because we live for the Lord, but how can Paul be so upbeat in this difficult time? Look at Philippians 1:21 – Paul tells us that Christ gives his life meaning, and his death will mean the gain of Being with Christ.

James offers counsel in James 1:2 by saying: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. Our challenges are going to strengthen us and train us for what life brings us. In 1 Peter 4:12-13 Peter tells us to …think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

The Lord desires that we be happy even though we have a lot of work to do here in this earthly life – There is no reward when there is no labor. If Christ is what gives your life meaning, there isn’t anything else that really matters or needs to be worried about so… Rejoice!

 ²⁵ Worry is a heavy load,
but a kind word cheers you up. – Proverbs 12:25 NCV

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened. – Mark Twain

The Lord has made sure that his children do not have to worry. Look at the great Scripture we can reference when we feel like we have something worth worrying over:

Matthew 6:34 – Do not be anxious for tomorrow (In fact look at the whole background of this verse: Matthew 6:25-33)

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast your anxieties on him

Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing

I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened. ~Mark Twain