Replacing the Buzzing

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" ~ Philippians 4:4

Really, Lord? In these circumstances? Surely, this is an impossibility. 

A mountain of concern and anxieties buzzing daily and at times, feeling like they will overwhelm me. Rejoice not just in the good, but the bad? Always??? How can one do that? Paul, the author of this letter, certainly must have been superhuman. This is not possible for us regular people.

"Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near." ~ Philippians 4:5

How can I be gracious or gentle when I am overwhelmed on a daily basis by my own issues? And there is the some of the problem. Focusing on my problems prevents me from extending a hand of grace or mercy to others. When I'm consumed with me there is no room for others.

And there is that little sentence, "The Lord is near."  A reminder. It tells me that God is waiting for me to hand off those anxieties to Him. He has my back and is never far away, waiting for me to turn to Him.

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

When I begin to take those worries flitting around my brain and turn them into prayer, God gives His peace. It's a peace that is not dependent on circumstances, but is dependent up knowing who He is. He will set up a guard inside my mind and heart, protecting me against the fears, worries and anxiety that are bouncing against the walls of my brain, wanting to set up camp. They have no where to settle when the space is filled with focus on the Lord.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. ~ Philippians 4:8-9

Here is the thing. It's not a one and done deal. It's a daily surrender. It's daily bringing those concerns to the Lord. Then replacing the worry by meditating on the good, the honorable, pure, just and on and on. It may mean writing a list every day and at times, multiple times a day until it is ingrained.

Rejoice always? In these circumstances? 

Yes! Because we aren't focusing on the circumstances. We are focusing on the amazing, wonderful, outstanding, magnificent ability of the One we trust. When we allow Him to work in His time, we will be overwhelmed at what He has done. 

The process may be painful, but we don't have to fear the outcome, because we can be certain that the Lord is near, He gives us His peace. He is at work.

Fear is replaced by trust. Anxiousness is replace with peace. Self-focus is replaced with graciousness.

The Lord is near.