And this same GOD WHO takes care of me will supply [take care of] all your needs from HIS glorious riches, which have been given to us in CHRIST JESUS. (The Apostle Paul, Imprisoned in Rome) (Philippians 4:19, NLT)
Worried? Discouraged? Scared? Just Not Sure? Let’s face it! We are living in troubling times. BUT, you can still have hope if you are a believer in the GOD of the BIBLE.
God Knows ALL
Worry, discouragement, fear, anxiety will distort our thinking and lead us to behave irrationally. Let’s encourage ourselves with this thought-God knew that this time (your particular situation or need) was coming. And He sees you, [us] as we try to navigate through it.
So, GOD being GOD, the believers’ Jehovah Jireh, left us some instructions by way of HIS servant, the Apostle Paul. But first, why should we listen to the Apostle?
- Paul had learned to enjoy the moment. What was his moment? He was in prison solely because he had proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Paul was confined to his own private residence. However, historians note that Paul’s residence was most likely dangerous; subject to fire, flood or even collapsing. Paul had to pay for this private prison. He was not free to move around. In addition, Paul was chained to a Roman soldier. Still, Paul had learned to enjoy the moment.
- Paul depended upon GOD as His source. And GOD had always provided.
Influencers
What impacts your ability to enjoy the moment? Simply put, influencers. Who or what is influencing you? and then, Who are you influencing? There are influencers all around us; but we can choose what we allow in our lives.
Henny Penny or the Apostle Paul
Who will you be like?
Henny Penny allowed an acorn to influence her thinking. The impact was such that it almost killed her. Her thinking did however lead to the deaths of several of her friends. Henny Penny’s influencer led her to behave irrationally. https://americanliterature.com/childrens-stories/henny-penny-the-sky-is-falling
God’s faithfulness influenced Paul’s behavior. Paul shook off the spirit of pessimism, the belief that calamity was right around the corner. Paul knew from his previous experiences that he had a GOD (the God of the Bible) who would take care of his every need. That is why, he said, And this same GOD WHO takes care of me will supply [take care of] all your needs . . .
Choose to Enjoy the Moment! Your moment is wherever you are as a believer right now. Take control of your thoughts by remembering who GOD is in your life.
The Secret to Enjoying the Moment
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. 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. (The Apostle Paul, Imprisoned in Rome) (Philippians 4:6&7, NLT)