Choose to rejoice. On a Monday in 2020.

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It’s Monday. We are still in 2020. The news is full of coronavirus spikes and protests and politics and madness. Pause with me for a moment, will you?

In Philippians 4:4-9, Paul has a lot to say to us about finding God’s peace today, right now, in the midst of this year when the world seems to be quickly derailing into crazytown. Let’s walk through the flow of what he has to say together.

Rejoice in the Lord- ALWAYS. It’s a choice. Even on a Monday in 2020.

Be reasonable - and let it shine.

Remember the Lord is near, so:
*Do not be anxious
*Instead, bring your prayer and needs AND thanksgiving to God.

There is a connection between turning to Him with our needs and concerns (instead of internet news and social media), and having our hearts and minds guarded by the PEACE OF GOD. Even when it doesn’t make sense.

We can’t choose the news, or what articles come across our feed, or what conversation is happening between coworkers today. But we CAN choose what we fix our minds on- what we meditate on and turn over in our minds. It is a command to actively choose to think on what is:
*True
*Honorable
*Just
*Pure
*Lovely
*Commendable
*Excellent
*Worthy of praise

We can choose what we actively think on, and we can choose what we DO. What we’ve learned and heard and received and seen from the Word of God and those who walk closely with Jesus, we can PRACTICE those things.

And the GOD OF PEACE will be with us.

In summary-
Choose to rejoice and pray and bring your concerns to Him - His peace will guard our minds. As His peace guards us we can actively set our minds on what is good, choose to do what is right, and the God of peace will be with us.

So simple. So profound. So difficult.

May the mind of Christ my Savior
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of Christ dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His pow’r.

May the peace of Christ my Savior
Rule my life in every thing,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me,
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

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