Philippians 4:4-8 TPT
Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! [5] Let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. [6] Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, [7] then God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. [8] So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.
Being joyous in every season of life is complicated. When things are going great, it's effortless to be joyful. We walk around with a smile on our face and can't wait to take on the day. However, when things aren't going so great, being joyful is difficult. We struggle to get out of the bed, or we struggle to accomplish a task in front of us because we become very anxious about things going on in our thoughts. I don't know about you, but when I'm anxious and worried, it feels like my prayers are just hitting the ceiling. So I started to think about why it is that I struggle with joy in every season of life, and this is the question I asked myself:
My question is, what is God hearing from you?
Our thoughts are where things start. Jesus taught us that everything begins with a thought (Matthew 5:28). Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8 to keep our thoughts continually fixed on what is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. If we adjust our thought process, we can easily be joyous in every season of life.
God hears our thoughts, so what does God hear from you? Does God hear your anxious thoughts, or does He hear your thankfulness in who He is? First Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to give thanks in all circumstances, and that means all circumstances. Don't let your thoughts get consumed in social media, the news, the doctor’s report, or from the latest gossip in the group chat. Fix your thoughts on Jesus because He works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Starting today, let's change what God is hearing from us.