Tag: Philippians

A New Pattern

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I shared in a post last week that I’m going back through the memory verses from the study Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg. This has led me to meditate on and consider the short version of Nehemiah 8:10, “Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Do not be grieved can be reworded- do not feed on what distresses you.

I’ve been convicted that when I fall into a pattern of complaining and grumbling over circumstances that are hard or cause me trouble, I am in fact feeding the things that cause me stress. This quenches the strength that comes from rejoicing in the LORD.

James 1: 22 challenges believers to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, so today, I’m sharing two PICs that I’m keeping before me in mind and prayer as I seek to be a doer in this- to replace the old pattern with a new one.

Instead of doubt- PRAISE!

Instead of complaint- THANKSGIVING!

Living in a world where negativity and division are the norm, it’s easy to feed our stress. Will you join me today with a new pattern of praise? Will you shine as a light in this dark world?

A previous post, Without Complaint, may be helpful as well.

Whatever Matters Most

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Before closing the study of joy from Philippians, I want to go back and focus on a few power-packed scriptures from this short book that’s written about an unlikely perspective- joy, found in an unlikely place- prison. 

I say unlikely because for me I tend to equate the presence of joy with circumstantial ease. You probably do as well. That’s why we spend so much time and energy trying to control and manage our circumstances or environments so that we experience ease, comfort, and peace.  Continue reading “Whatever Matters Most” →

Provision for Joy

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In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be wrapping up my study in Philippians. Today I’m jumping to the end of this short book that has much to say about finding joy in unlikely places. The focal verse comes from the final section of writing, and in my Bible it’s entitled “God’s Provision.”

Paul writes in chapter 4:19-

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Continue reading “Provision for Joy” →