Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing!
When Paul said, "Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times," he didn't mean only in good times. Even when times are tough, the Bible teaches as we can rejoice if we trust in the Lord and His faithfulness. Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own." What Jesus is saying is we shouldn't open our umbrella until it starts raining. Don't worry about tomorrow, live one day at a time. Instead of worrying, we should use our time for praying. If we prayed as much as we worried, we would have a whole lot less to worry about. Is God interested in our mortgage bills and every other expenses or responsibility we have? Yes! He's interested in every detail of our lives. That means we can take any problem we have to Him.
Whenever we pray, we should always pray with thanksgiving. The healthiest human emotion is not love but gratitude. It actually increases our immunities. It makes us more resistant to stress and less susceptible to illness. People who are grateful are happy. But people who are ungrateful are miserable because nothing makes them happy. So if we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, of being thankful in everything, it will reduce stress in our lives.
If we want to reduce the level of stress in our lives, we must change the way we think because the way we think determines how we feel. And the way we feel determines how we act, which is why the Bible teaches that, if we want to change our life, we need to change what we're thinking about. This involves a deliberate conscious choice where we change the channels. We choose to think and focus on God's word, faithfulness and His goodness. Because the root cause of stress is the way we choose to think. Today I want to encourage you to focus on the faithfulness of God and His promise to us through His word. I don't know about you but He is never let me down and I know He is not about to now. So why don't you give Him a chance today!
Reflections:
What happens when we don't worry? He gives us peace that transcends all understanding !
Power verses:
Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus-- Philippians 4:7
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.--John 14:27
and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God--Ephesians 3:19
2011 By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved.
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