Here's what we're wondering about:
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
St Paul really wants us to hear what he is saying - he says it twice! How come? Rejoice! Hey - rejoice! Always! (Are you hearing him?)
What is rejoicing? What did you ever rejoice about? What did that feel like?
What would it be like to feel that way - always?
Let your gentleness be known to everyone.
That's an interesting thing to be famous for: gentleness. What type of people are gentle? Sometimes it takes a great deal of strength to be gentle.
The Lord is near.
What do comfort, goodness, joy, peace, and love feel like? Those feelings are some ways to really know that the Lord is near.
And the Lord is near even when you don't feel those things. . . maybe even closer.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
It's hard not to worry about things. St Paul tells us, don't worry. In fact, don't worry about anything. Pray instead, with gratitude - offer all the thankfulness you have. Talk to God. Ask away! Tell God what you need. What will you ask of God?
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
God gives us peace, such a big and amazing peace that we can't even understand it. Your hearts - with all the feels - and your minds - with all the racing thoughts - are kept safe, and full of peace, through Jesus. How does that peace feel?
So rejoice!!! Again, I say: rejoice!
