Philippians 4:4-7

Maintaining The Right Frame of Mind

Paul was in a Roman prison, yet he could tell those in the Philippian church, "Rejoice...rejoice". The reason for this can only be that he was "in the Lord" and knew all would work out for his good (Romans 8:28-29; 2 Timothy 1:12). He knew his labor would not come to naught (1 Peter 4:4; 1 Corinthians 15:58).

Along with rejoicing, Paul taught them to have a gentle demeanor which does not insist on its own rights. Hughes suggests the father in the story of the prodigal son as a good example of this (Luke 15:11-32). This should especially be done since, "The Lord is at hand". The Christian has strength to forbear because the Lord is always close to help us (Matthew 28:20; Psalms 145:18-19.) It might also be said that the Lord's return should always be counted as near, since we do not know when he will come and must be prepared (1 Peter 4:5; Matthew 25:1-13).

In using the word "anxious," which Wiersbe says literally means "to be pulled in different directions," Paul is saying the Christian should not let even one thing cause him to fear so as to be pulled away from his hope (Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 3:12-13; Matthew 6:25-34). It is alright to take care of the physical (1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15), but not to the point of neglecting the spiritual. Instead, Christians should approach God and ask his help in times of need. Of course, those who remember to tell him their needs should be sure to remember to thank him (Ephesians 5:20; Luke 17:11-19). If Christ's followers would take "everything" to God in prayer, including the little things, they might not have so many big things to take to him (1 Peter 4:6).

The result of taking all to God in prayer will be an inner tranquility given by God to the believer (John 14:27). This peace will stand like a military guard over the minds of those in Christ Jesus. No one looking at this peace from a human standpoint can understand it. Neither can the one who possesses such peace fully understand or explain it, but they would not give it up (1 Peter 4:7; Isaiah 26:3).