Paul could have started his letter with saying, “You have no idea what I have been through sitting on the floor in this cold prison; and although you sent me Epaphroditus to meet my needs he was sick and I had to care for him. Not only that, but I worry about you that you will be taken in by false teachers, or that the Euodia and Syntyche’s disagreement will affect the rest of the church, etc.” No, Paul is full of encouragement and thankfulness and tells how even his trials are bearing fruit with the imperial guard, etc.
The first thing that spoke to me was in chapter 2 where Paul says, “In humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interests of others.” Another version says to put yourself aside and not think of your own advantage but “forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” I thought of someone I had a concern for, and rather than mull over what the person was possibly experiencing, I prayed as Paul said in the 4th chapter, “Don’t worry about anything but in everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” So that’s what I stopped to do and what followed was, “The peace of God which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
We can do that with every concern that arises in our lives each day. Rather than keep focused on the situation, simply pray and give it to the Lord who sees the whole picture!
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