Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
— From Paul’s wonderful little epistle to the Philippians
I’ve often said that Paul’s letter to the Philippians is my favorite of his epistles, being as it is short and sweet but rich in practical theology. Often called the bible’s “joy book,” he joyously wrote the letter from a prison cell.
Down below is his great take on being content no matter what our circumstances; if we have faith, then we have hope, and if we have hope, we may not necessarily be “happy,” but we can be better than happy.
We can be content.
One only has to look at the current condition of the United States of America to see what discontent (wrought by lukewarm faith in God that nation proclaims perhaps?) has wrought.
Something to think about for today’s Lenten reading from Philippians 4:
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had to opportunity to show it.
Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.
I can do all things though him who strengthens me.”
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