Holy Happiness - Part 12

Happiness During Trouble

Is it possible to be happy during times of struggle and trouble?  The Apostle Paul certainly thought that it was, and he knew something about trouble!

In fact, Paul knew a lot about times of trouble.  Shipwrecked, left for dead, beaten and run out of town, these were the experiences of Paul as he shared the Gospel across the Roman world.  He knew a lot about troubles of various kinds.  So it’s interesting to read what he wrote on the subject.  One key passage is found in 2 Corinthians, chapter four: 

Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.  We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed butnot in despair; we are persecuted but not abandonded; we are struck down but not destroyed.  We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so tht the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so the Jesus' life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.  So death works in us, but life in you.  And since we have the same spirit of faith in accordance with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak, knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and present us with you.  For all this is because of you, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to overflow to God's glory.  Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.  For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an abdlutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.  So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)

The Christians in Corinth must have known troubling times themselves; otherwise there would have been no reason for Paul to include this section in his letter.  We can read and learn of the troubles – inside and outside the church in Corinth – that they faced.  But for now it is enough to know that they were familiar with trouble!

Beginning in verse 7, Paul says: “we have this treasure in clay jars.”  The “clay jars” refers to our flesh.  Clay jars are easily broken; drop one and it will break apart and be no longer useful.  Likewise, our flesh is easily broken, becoming no longer useful for mighty tasks; and sometimes, useful for almost no tasks at all.

The “treasure” that we carry in these fragile bodies is the truth of the Gospel.  The Light that Jesus is the Savior come into the world; that forgiveness is available.  The fact that our weak flesh carries such a precious treasure provides continuing evidence that the power in our lives is not from us, but from God.  These clay jars carrying precious treasure, bring honor and glory to God.  We continually testify to His presence and power.

Therefore, with that foundation Paul begins discussing the various kinds of trouble we often may encounter.

“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” (vs. 8-9)

Notice the four areas of trouble Paul mentions.  We may be…

a.       Pressured in every way… but not crushed.

b.      Perplexed…but not in despair.

c.       Persecuted…but not abandoned.

d.      Struck down…but not destroyed.

With each of these, the trouble results in us usually feeling a certain emotion; we have an emotional response when we experience troubles.  When under great and various pressures, we tend to feel overwhelmed.  Paul says “crushed.”  Not that we are crushed, but just the opposite.  The point is people without Jesus experience various pressures and may be crushed emotionally.  But we have God.  So we experience various pressures but are not emotionally crushed.  Or at least, we don’t have to be (some allow themselves to experience this emotional response).

The same is true when we are “perplexed;” or unsure, at a loss, etc.  The natural emotional response for those without Christ is despair.  For those with Jesus, we may still be troubled and enter a time when we are perplexed; but we do not have to respond with despair.

When “persecuted,” the natural emotionally response is to feel alone; to feel as if we have been abandoned.  But the Christian knows God has not, nor ever would, leave nor forsake them.  We do not have to feel abandoned just because we are being persecuted.

And the same is true when “struck down.”  The human emotional response is to feel destroyed; hopeless, no future, no help, no recovery, etc.  But for those of us who hold this precious “treasure in clay jars,” we can experience trouble with a different emotional response.

Even death is nothing a Christian should fear.  In fact, we live with death every day.

We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh.  So death works in us, but life in you. (vs. 10-12)

A Christian should never fear death because we experience death each day – death of our desires, plans, wishes, etc. – so that Jesus’ life may reign supreme in us.  As Paul said elsewhere: “The life I now live, I live in Christ.”

As a Christian,  am I willing to put to death my plans and submit to God’s will so that others can experience true Life?  My death to self and living for Him, allows others to see God at work in me and to hear my testimony of what He has done for me and offers to do for them.  This is what the phrase means: “So death works in us, but life in you.”

By submitting to Christ (dying to self) we have the sure confidence that we will experience true and lasting life with Him.  We will be raised with Him and thereafter, for eternity, live with Him.  We live “knowing that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and present us with you.”

All this brings glory to God.  As more and more hear the Gospel and respond to it; as more and more receive eternal life; then more thanksgiving is felt and expressed and ultimately, more glory for God is expressed.  “For all this is because of you, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to overflow to God’s glory.”

So with the foundation laid in verse seven, we can experience a different response to various troubles (as seen in verses 8-9), and even understand death and living differently.  And by living with this assurance, no matter what troubles we face, we can bring others into the Kingdom and give glory to God!

Which brings us to the real heart of Paul’s message in this passage, verses 16-18:

Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.  For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.  So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

From these three verses we learn four incredible characteristics that Christians can possess.  Life at times, is full of troubles; many and various kinds.  Yet, in spite of the troubles and indeed through the times of trouble, as Christians we are…

I.          Resolved

Paul, of all people, with all the troubles he experienced, writes to the Christians at Corinth: “We do not give up!”  Look, this whole passage revolves around troubles.  Paul knew troubles.  The Christians at Corinth, his audience, knew troubles.  But that was no excuse!

Make up your mind now, before the troubles come – or if you are already in the midst of trouble, then before they increase – make up your mind now to be resolved.  Say to yourself, and mean it: “With God’s help (with ‘this treasure in clay jars’) I will NOT give up!”

“I may be pressured, but I will NOT be crushed.  I may be perplexed, but I will NOT despair.  I may be persecuted for my faith, but God will NEVER abandon me.  And, I may be struck down, but NEVER destroyed!  For God is with me.  He is my rock.  He is my life.”

That is the statement of one RESOLVED.

Second, as Christians, even during times of trouble, we are…

II.       Renewed

The flesh being destroyed is okay.  This flesh is not permanent anyway!

It is the inner part of us that matters.  This is the eternal piece of you and of me.  It is this “inner person” that will exist for eternity; either in spiritual death in Hell, or with spiritual life in Heaven.

What Paul writes is that even if troubles are negatively impacting our flesh, so what!  By walking with God, submitting to His Will daily, my inner person – the eternal part of me – is being “renewed day by day.”

Isn’t that wonderful and reassuring?  Refreshed, renewed, made whole; with a sense of contentment, joy and deep peace within – that is, experiencing Holy Happiness – despite any and all earthly troubles.  We are renewed.

Third, as Christians who go through times of trouble, be assured that we will be…

III.    Rewarded

I don’t know about you, but in my life troubles seldom feel like “momentary light affliction.” 

But compared to eternity, they really are.  They are temporary.  This too will pass, and usually quicker than we think.  But even if your troubles last until the day you die, they are over then!  Instantly.  So they really are momentary.

And compared to a moment in Hell, a lifetime of earthly troubles really is “light affliction.”  Remember, this is Paul writing these words.  He knew trouble and suffering; often, very intense kinds of both.  And yet he looks at all that in his life and sees it as a minor nuisance, compared with what he will receive for having experienced it for the sake of the Gospel.

What is the reward?  I don’t know exactly.  The Bible speaks of rewards in Heaven; based upon how obedient and faithful we lived in this life.  But does not give us a lot of detail.

Paul puts it this way: “absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.”

Right now gold is selling at very high rates per ounce.  The highest we have seen in years.  If Paul had written that our reward was an “absolutely incomparable eternal weight of gold,” then I would have some idea of the value and worth of our reward.  The truth is, I’m pretty sure that the glory has far more worth and is infinitely more valuable than gold!

Christians who endure life’s troubles, who remain Resolved and are Renewed daily, will be Rewarded as well!

So therefore, we also are…

IV.    Refocused

When we focus on what is seen and are pressured, we have no reference beyond the present, so it is easy to feel crushed.  When we focus on the eternal, this momentary light affliction of pressure doesn’t come close to crushing us in any way!

When we focus on what is seen it is easy to become perplexed, confused, and lose hope.  Despair natural follows.  But when we focus on the unseen, realizing we have life in Him forever, we rejoice – no matter the circumstances, trials or troubles of this momentary life!

When we focus on what is seen, we see our friends leave us during times of persecution.  We see that many do abandon us.  But when we focus on the Eternal One, we see that we never are left alone – not even for a minute!

And when we are struck down, if we focus on the temporary we will feel as if our world has ended.  We will feel destroyed in every way.  But when we focus on the eternal, then even death cannot destroy us, but only usher us into the presence of God forever!

So as a Christian…Don’t focus on the trouble.  Rest in the Savior.  Don’t focus on the temporary.  Rejoice in the eternal.

This is living with Holy Happiness, even during times of trouble!

Holy Happiness - Part 11

Happiness In Lack or Abundance

Holy Happiness is a deep-down presence within; one of joy, peace and contentment.  It is living with a true sense of blessedness.  In this series I have written on the source of Holy Happiness, how to experience it, and looked at examples of some in the Bible who did.

In this session I want to look at circumstances which are polar opposites.  And though both can impact our experience of Holy Happiness, neither should!  They are: lack or abundance.

The Apostle Paul knew times of feast and times of famine.  He knew what it was like to have plenty, or to be in desperate need.  He experienced both…up and down…many times.  In the area of lack or abundance, his life was like a yo-yo.  Not a fun way to live.  But he learned something, and he put this knowledge in a letter to the Christians at Philippi so they could learn from his experiences.  And today, we can learn from it as well.

"I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have renewed your care for me.  You were, in fact, concerned about me, but lacked the opportunity [to show it].  I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content] - whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.  Still, you did well by sharing with me in my hardship.

"And you, Philippians, know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone.  For even in Thessalonica you sent [gifts] for my need several times.  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that is increasing to your account.  But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance.  I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided - a fragrant offering, a welcome sacrifice, pleasing to God.  And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever.  Amen."  (Philippians 4:10-20)

The Christians in Philippi had shared with Paul in the past: “in the early days of the gospel” (vs. 15).  They had shared with him “several times” (vs. 16).  But apparently, they had gone through a time when they were unable to share or provide for his support and needs:

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have renewed your care for me.  You were, in fact, concerned about me, but lacked the opportunity [to show it].” (vs. 10; emphasis added)

Now that they had renewed their support of Paul, this latest gift must have been a large one:

“But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance.  I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided – a fragrant offering, a welcome sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (vs. 18)

We could spend time studying what this passage says about the Philippians and their giving and supporting the cause of the Gospel.  Paul says they “did well by sharing” with him (vs. 14).  And because they give: “fruit…is increasing to your account” (vs. 17b).  There is a benefit they will receive because they supported his ministry.

Paul tells them their gift is “a fragrant offering, a welcome sacrifice, pleasing to God” (vs. 18b).  And he promises them that God will reward them for supporting the ministry: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (vs. 19).

Yes, there is a lot we could study and learn about from the Philippians and their support of Paul and the Gospel ministry.  Important lessons.  Perhaps they even experienced Holy Happiness as a result of helping Paul achieve so much for the Kingdom!

But the important part of this passage for our discussion right now is Paul’s statement about lack or abundance.  Read it again:

“…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content] – whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (vs. 11b-13)

Stop for a moment and think about your own life and experiences.  It is easy to be happy, thankful and at peace with God and the world when you have more than enough!  In fact, it’s easy to sort of ignore God during such times.  Maybe we don’t mean to, but we sort of begin to feel everything is great, all things are going good, and our dependence on God wanes.  So does our time with Him, in His word, and in our devotion and obedience to His will.  It’s easy to live our lives without Him, when we have more than enough.

But how do you feel when you have nothing?  How happy, thankful and at peace are you then?  Most of us feel just the opposite.  We feel fear, frustration and some even that God has turned away or forgotten them!

A new house, a new car, or a new TV…clothes on our backs and food in our bellies…really, these are trivial things in comparison to eternity.  And yet, our satisfaction with life so easily is influenced by each, and so many more just like them.

Paul lived differently.

His life was not impacted emotionally by what he had or what he lacked.  He was not so easily swayed to smile when his pockets were full; nor to curse and fret when they were empty.  He didn’t ride this roller-coaster that has entrapped so many of us.

How was Paul able to live so differently?  And, more importantly, can we?

Seems to me there are three vital truths in this passage that teach us how to have Holy Happiness whether we are in times of abundance or times of need.  These three truths show us how Paul was able to live differently, and that we can indeed live that way too.

First, our goal…

I.       Contentment no matter the circumstances

Paul said: “…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (vs. 11b; emphasis added).  Holy Happiness means we are content; and that we are content no matter what the circumstances of our life are at the moment!

Sounds impossible; but Paul was able to do it.  Others have, and so can you and me.  Being content is a matter of submission.

Oh boy, there’s a word no one likes!  But it is absolutely necessary if you are going to become content and therefore able to experience and live continually with Holy Happiness.

Submission does not mean being a door-mat.  It does not mean being run over, abused, trampled on, or anything else like that.  For, who are we being submissive to?  Answer: God.  And God does not mistreat His children.  He loves you and ALWAYS does what is best and loving and that will best prepare us for an eternity in His presence.

So if we are experiencing abundance, God is blessing and we should thank Him and submit to His will.  For example, when you have a lot your first question should be: What do you want me to do with all this, Lord?  If He has blessed you with a time of abundance, submit and use that abundance as He directs.

The same is true when experiencing a time of lack or of need.  Perhaps our own foolish decisions and mistakes have caused this time, so certainly we should submit and confess and ask God to forgive us and get us back on track.  Submission is good!

But perhaps this time of need is God’s doing, or at the least, He is allowing it.  Now, you can get mad at Him.  But is that going to change anything?  Is that going to make it all better?  Obviously not.

But what if you approach the situation like Paul?  Instead of getting sad or mad, submit to God.  Ask Him what lesson you should be learning.  Is it that He simply wants you to trust Him more?  Are you going through a time of need so you will not depend upon yourself (your income, your job, etc.) but will come to depend and rely upon your Father in Heaven who loves you?  If this is the reason for your time of need, then it is a good thing.

Are you going through a time of need because God is trying to increase your compassion for the needy?  Maybe at some future point in your life you are going to have an incredible ministry to some who are in need.  Maybe you will be a real encouragement to another Christian during their time of want.  If any of this is true, then your time of need is a good thing.  It is preparing you for a future opportunity that God knows is coming.  So submit.  Accept your time of need and look to Him for all things good in your life.

Whether experiencing abundance or need, the key is to submit to God and rest in His provision.  This is what it means to be content.  It does not mean we stop striving; but we strive in the ways and areas God directs.  It does not mean we quit working; but we work as God leads.  Contentment does not mean at all that we give up or quit.  Just the opposite; we get busy, but we get busy doing what God tells us to do.

The first truth is that we should see to be content; no matter our circumstances.  And though this seems hard, if not impossible, we can do this.  But it requires us to know and understand the second truth from this passage.

Second, our struggle…

II.     Contentment is learned

Paul said, “…for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (vs. 11b; emphasis added).  Being submissive to God and resting in Him is a learned response.  It certainly isn’t our natural inclination, not for most of us!  But it is necessary for Holy Happiness.

This tells me a couple of important things.

a.      It’s okay for a young Christian to struggle with being totally submissive and content. 

Contentment – resting in God – is a learned behavior.  Therefore, a young or immature Christian will struggle with it.  It will be hard, nigh unto impossible, for such a person to experience true and lasting contentment.  They have not yet learned how.

And that’s okay…as long as they keep trying.  The goal is to keep walking in submission to God each day, learning how to rely upon Him, depend on Him and trust Him totally.  Progress is important.  It fine to start out a baby, but you don’t want to remain one.

So if you find yourself struggling with being submissive to God, and/or accepting your current lot in life, keep at it.  Don’t quit.  Don’t give up.  You are learning!  And that is a good thing.  Just be sure you are truly learning, and not continually repeating the same mistakes over and over.  You do want to be maturing and developing.

b.      It takes time.

Learning always takes time.  And the harder the subject, the more time it takes to learn it.  And learning to be submissive and content in all circumstances is one of the most difficult lessons to master.  So…it is going to take time.

Don’t become impatient with yourself, or with another.  Don’t beat yourself up, or unfairly criticize another.  It takes years for a baby to grow to adulthood.  It takes years for a Christian to mature in their walk with Christ.  And for some, it takes even longer.

And that too is okay; as long as growth is occurring.

Contentment – resting in God – no matter the circumstances, is a learned behavior.  And learning anything takes time.  And this subject is particularly difficult.  Fortunately, we have help!

The third truth from the passage gives us our source…

III.    Contentment comes from God

Again, Paul says: “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me” (vs. 13; emphasis added).  Paul had a source; a secret supply…God.

After just stating that he had learned to be content no matter the circumstances, Paul says he is able to do so because of his relationship with God.  It is God’s power and presence in him, that allows Paul to be submissive…to trust…to be content.

The sense of blessedness we desire, that we get to experience as Christians, comes from God.  That which we fear or at least shy away from, being submissive to Him and His will, is the exact activity which provides that which we most desire – peace, and deep-seated contentment.

Holy Happiness – that deep sense of blessedness – is a gift from God to us, each of His children.  And the more we learn to submit to Him, the more content in life we will be and the richer will be our experience of Holy Happiness!

Holy Happiness - Part 10

Happiness & Worry

In this series we have been looking at Holy Happiness – that deep-down presence within us of joy, peace and contentment that the world cannot take away; a true sense of blessedness.  We’ve learned how to have Holy Happiness and have looked at examples of some who did.

In the last few lessons we have looked at issues that we might expect would (or at least could) negatively impact our Holy Happiness.  But we have seen that just the opposite is actually the case.  When approached appropriately, each can contribute to our Holy Happiness.

In this lesson I want to spend time examining another such issue in life that we might seriously anticipate would rob us of all our sense of blessedness.  We think it might, because most of the time it does!  This issue of life is: worry.

So far we’ve looked at discipline, suffering and persecution – three words that are not among our favorites; at least, not that we want to experience regularly.  Well, take these three together, and you still don’t have the impact that this one issue has in most of our lives: worry.

Worry, worry, worry…we worry about everything.  Literally.  Worry is an epidemic.  Millions of hours of productive time and billions of dollars are lost each year due to the activity of worrying. Worry creates health issues.  We have medicines to help us not worry.  We even have worry warts (whatever they are)!

Worry is a problem.  It’s a problem in our society, in our churches, in our homes and in many – nay, probably most – of our lives.  Worry, worry, worry…don’t you hate being around someone who always is worrying.  It’s a downer.  It’s depressing.  At the least, it can be distracting and impact your own frame of mind.

If you are a serious worrier, how does it make you feel?  You may have been worrying for so long that you have grown comfortable with it; you may not even realize how to live without worrying.  But wouldn’t you like to try?  Aren’t you a little tired of always being worried?

“I thought we were talking about happiness?”

Not very happy so far!  Right?

We are getting to the good part.  We just have to identify the problem first.  Think you have a handle on what the problem is…maybe some personal experience?  So let me ask you this: Can you imagine describing yourself as happy while being consumed with worry? 

Let’s see what the Bible says about worry and Holy Happiness.

When we talk about worry, are there any Bible verses that come to your mind?  One of my favorites is found in Philippians.

"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 your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Four points I want to bring to your attention from this passage.  First…

1.      Acceptable Worry

What is there in your life that you really should spend some time worrying about?  What are those few vital things you have to worry about, at least a little?

Sure, we all have some issues that cause us worry.

Two years ago I had a tooth with a rough edge that was cutting my tongue.  I went to the dentist.  They ground it down and said I needed a crown.  I was fitted for one, and a temporary put in place.  But they also said the cut place on my tongue looked really bad.  Tongue cancer, surgery, treatments and over a year of recovery and we arrive at the present.

A few days ago I went back – for the first time – to that dentist’s office.  I went to have the crown finally put on.  I did not want to go.  All sorts of thoughts and emotions hounded me all morning long.  It would have been easy – it would have been natural – to worry.

But what does Paul say?  What issues in your life or in my life does Paul say it is okay to worry about?  Answer: NONE.

“Don’t worry about anything.” (vs. 6a)

Just in case the reader missed it, he next says: “…but in everything...with thanksgiving, let your requests be make known to God.” (vs. 6b)

Nothing!  Nil, zilch, nada, zero… There is not one issue in your life that you are to spend even one minute worrying about.  None!

Wow, that’s not natural.  And that’s the point.  Worry is a sinful, human response.  As Christians we are called to something else – something better; something new.

Which brings us to the second point in this passage…

2.      Our Response to Worry

What does Paul say should be a Christian’s response to worry?

“…but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (vs. 6b)

Answer: Prayer.

Instead of spending time worried; pray.  Petition God.  What does petition mean?

Petition means to ask.  Instead of worrying, we are to go to God in prayer and ask Him.  Ask Him what?  To deal with the issue, according to His will, to accomplish His purposes and plan, to bring good out of this circumstance that is causing us to want to worry!

Profound truth – simple to understand and agree with, but often hard to practice – here it is:

When you feel the need to worry, pray instead.  Ask God to deal with the issue.  And then say, “Thank you!”

Paul said to offer our prayers and petitions with a spirit of thanksgiving!  Instead of fretting, thanking; instead of worrying, praying and asking.  No, this is not natural.  What it is, is revolutionary; and Christian.

Paul said: “Don’t worry.  Pray…and give thanks.”  It really is that simple.  What he said is that simple.  But as we just said, it is hard sometimes to follow.  Why is this so?

The answer to this question brings us to the third point of the passage…

3.      Our Focus

Worry arises when we are focused on what?  Answer: the problem/issue in our life.

Isn’t this the case?  We become consumed by a problem.  We don’t know what to do.  We aren’t sure of what the outcome will be.  We don’t know if we (or the person involved) will be hurt, damaged, in pain, or whatever.  It is the unknown that scares us…

So we worry.

We are focused on our problem/issue.  And the more you worry, the more fixated you become on the problem/issue.  What should we be focused on?  Or should I ask, who?

Paul says, don’t worry about anything but “let your requests be made known to God.”  It’s a matter of focus.  We are to be focused on God, not the problem/issue.

“God, I’m afraid of this; I’m worried about that… But I know you are still on the throne.  I know you are still in control.  And I know that you love me!”

You see, it’s really a matter of trust.

Do you trust God?  Do you really trust that He does love you; that He will provide for you; that He knows what is happening and is still in control?  Do you trust Him, or not?

Praying and petitioning with thanksgiving when problems and issues arise, shows that you trust God.  Worry shows that you don’t.

You may have to talk yourself into it sometimes.  “I trust God.  I trust God.  I trust God.” 

That’s okay.  Keep it up, and while doing this, make your requests known to God through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, and you will begin to relax.  Worry will ebb away.

It is an amazing and wonderful thing.  The more we trust Him, the more worry recedes!

Before you read this, what were you worried about?  As you think about that problem, or those issues, where was your focus?  Was it on the problem(s)?

Where should your focus be?  Our focus should always be on God; never on the problem.

So why do we fall into worrying so easily, and worry so much?  Because we are, as Christians, under attack.  The final point from this passage is so important.  It’s subtle, so don’t miss it.

4.      Worry is the Enemy’s Tool

Look carefully at vs. 7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What is the opposite of worry?  Answer: Peace; specifically, God’s peace “which surpasses every thought.”  Paul makes it clear that the opposite of worry is peace; a peace that comes only from God, and only when we pray and petition Him with thanksgiving.

If peace is available, then why do we worry?  Why is worry so prevalent?

To answer that question, let me ask you this one: If peace comes from God, where or who does worry come from?

Worry is the enemy’s tool!

Satan tempted Eve, and she was worried she might be missing out!  She worried that maybe God was holding out on her and Adam.  She began to focus on the fruit, and took her focus off of God.  You know the rest of the story.

God’s peace, which is the opposite of worry, does something very specific according to this verse from Paul.  What is it that peace does?

It guards.

Read the verse again: “And the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (vs. 7)

Another simple truth: You only need a guard if there is danger!

Worry is a distracting tactic of the devil.  Worry is his attempt to get your focus off of God and onto the issue or problem in your life.  Worry is one of his greatest weapons – so effective; and we fall for it so quickly, so easily and so often.

We need a guard.

God offers us one.  In fact, it is His peace…an unimaginable, unexplainable, inexpressible sense of deep calm, even in the midst of the storm.

Peace!  Just say the word out loud.  Peace!  Listen to it.  What a beautiful word.

And it is this peace, this peace that God gives to His children who trust Him, who come to Him with their fears, doubts, issues and problems…it is this peace that guards us so we don’t fall for the enemy’s ploy.

Discipline, suffering and persecution…we have seen that each of these can add to our Holy Happiness when we approach each as the Bible instructs.  God’s discipline is for our betterment.  Suffering can make us rely on Him, and not ourselves.  Persecution puts us in great company: Jesus, the disciples and the prophets!  So each of these can add to our sense of blessedness (even though they are definitely not something we desire nor enjoy).

Worry is different.  It will suck all the happiness out of your spirit.  Nothing good comes from worrying excessively or constantly.  That is why Paul wrote these verses.  That is why they are in the Bible for you and me to read today; so that we will not worry any more.

Put worry behind you.  Trust God.  Experience peace, not fretting; try trusting, instead of worrying.  Focus on God, not on the problems of life.  And you will discover a new experience of true and lasting Holy Happiness.