Being Content

Beyond Understanding

This is the last blog in a mini-series on peace. You can read the previous entries here, here, here, and here.

There are a lot of things that I don’t understand in this life – quantum mechanics, how in actuality airplanes fly and computers process, and exactly how the cast of the Jersey Shore is on Barbara Walters’ list of Most Fascinating People for 2010. And while I don’t understand all of these things, I trust that with enough time, insight, and diligence they can be understood. After all, there are people out there who build planes – they must understand the concepts of lift, drag, and other theories of physics that keep the pilots and passengers up in the air. Other people program computers, they must get how the zero’s and one’s are translated into meaningful data. And if nothing else, Ms. Walters herself could explain the criteria for inclusion on her list. These things are understandable, even if it would take some study to do so.

Philippians 4:7, however, tells us that what’s beyond our understanding is God’s peace. Reading the preceding verse, we learn that when we bring our cares, concerns and anxieties to our Father, He provides His peace to protect our hearts from those very same worries. His peace, therefore, makes it so that we can “not be anxious about anything” – because we know that we and our needs are in His very capable hands.

It’s not a peace that anyone can understand – because humanly speaking it doesn’t make sense that we would live life free of unsettled worry – but in His love God grants us that peace, when we fully rely on Him.



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Being Content Hope

The Whatever List

This continues the mini-series on peace. To see the previous posts, click here, here and here.

If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you are probably familiar with Philippians 4:8. The verse states:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil 4:8, ESV)

This verse is often used as a reminder that as a Christian our thoughts, our actions, our behaviors, need to be that which brings God glory.  It’s a good reminder; one that we probably can’t hear often enough.

However, what is often left out of the discussion is verse 9. It states:

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things,” (Phil 4:9a, ESV)

So Paul is saying – “If you want to accomplish this list of whatever’s – just look at how I’ve lived. See how I’ve focused on what’s true;  see how I’ve lived in accordance with what’s honorable.” And then he states:

“and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9b, ESV)

Do you catch that? If we focus on the things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable – then we will experience God’s peace. That’s because when we are focusing on these things, we are focusing on the things of God – and in that – in recognizing Who He is, who we’re not, and that He has all things in His control, we will know His calming presence.

So if we’re feeling anxious – focus on what’s true – that God is in control.

If we’re worried – focus on what’s honorable – doing the things that give God glory.

If you’re uncertain – focus on what’s just -that for the Christian, God’s justice has already been fulfilled.

If you’re in a time of despair – focus on what’s lovely – and be reminded of God’s grace.

May each of us experience His calming peace today, as we focus on the things that are of God.

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