January 5, 2025

This last chapter of Philippians has so many good lessons that I had difficulty choosing which one to elaborate on. 

*Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

*Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5

*Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

*And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

*Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9

*I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

*But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

All these verses are memory verses; can you believe they are all in one chapter of Philippians? I decided to pull one verse out to cover because we all tend to look at the worse side of others. How quick are we to assess a person's behavior without looking for the good in them? One thing I do is look for something positive in them rather than the negative. I also ask the question, "Why are they acting unreasonably?" And, "What kind of trauma have they had to deal with that has made them act the way they do?" Instead of lambasting them, have some compassion. In your mind, point out a good characteristic, like a nice smile, or maybe they didn't see me or mean to cut me off in traffic. If you focus on the positive, it will de-escalate the situation, and rather than have a bad outcome, you've changed your focus and made it easier to forgive their mistakes and made it less likely that you will have to pull a weapon or have them draw a weapon and have it end in tragedy. Think about these things!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8