Comfort and Challenge
Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi has been always been one of my favorites. I have to admit that I remember the order of Paul’s letter by thinking General Electric Power Company – Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Philippians Chapter 4 in particular has proven to be a comfort as well as a challenge to me. To think that Paul was in prison as he wrote “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” He proclaims “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” The verses that have become my go to verses are Chapter 4:4-9. There is so much in those five verses that helps to keep me on course.
1. The celebratory cry to rejoice in the Lord!
2. The command to let my gentleness be evident to all.
3. The comfort in remembering the Lord is near.
4. The challenge to not be anxious.
5. The call to pray with thanksgiving.
6. The confidence found in knowing the peace of God will guard my heart and mind.
7. The concentration to focus my thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy.
8. The contentment in having the God of peace with me. He is enough!
“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.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 9 Whatever 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.”
What verses in the Bible are your comfort and challenge verses?
Philippians is the most read letter of Paul in my Bible. I totally agree that chapter for is the most comforting to me as well.