Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

As we delve into Philippians 4:4, we're met with a clear command from Paul. He directs us, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" He emphasizes "always." This isn't about occasional praise. It isn't tied to a specific emotion-triggering event or moment. It's a persistent state of being, regardless of circumstances. This can be challenging, though. Honestly, reading this might make us think, "Sounds great, but is it really practical? Does anyone actually live like that?" We might even be tempted to dismiss these instructions from scripture and ignore that the Holy Spirit is empowering us from the inside to actually live this out.

Here's where things get interesting: It's easy to raise our own life experiences above the truths in scripture. Sure, my first instinct might be to see this as unrealistic. But here's the truth: if my mind disagrees with scripture, it's not the scripture that's off-kilter; it's my thinking that needs adjustment. In the words of Romans 12:2, there's a need to transform my thinking so I can become what God intended. And in this context, one of those intentional characteristics is the ability to find joy in the Lord at all times.  

Now, joy can manifest in various ways. Verse 5 lets us know that this isn't a private endeavor. This ongoing joy, regardless of circumstances, becomes evident in our actions. It's how we live. Others see Christ radiating through our kindness, the satisfaction of serving others, and our unchanging demeanor despite challenging circumstances.  

But hold on, there's more! In verse 6, Paul adds two more consistent practices: praying and giving thanks. And then, verse 7 takes it up a notch: "And the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." The combination of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks brings an extraordinary peace—one that shields our hearts and minds from deception, worldly thinking, and the enemy's tactics.  

Here's something significant: Paul echoes this concept in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. He says, "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  

God's will is laid out clearly: unceasing joy, constant prayer, and boundless gratitude. So, it's pretty tough to dodge this truth. It's hard to argue it's unrealistic. Because the most realistic thing imaginable is God's will. He's the one in charge. He set the rules. He's at work in us, as Philippians 2:13 tells us, nudging us to follow His good purpose.

I get it, Cody. This all lines up. But if this is God's plan for me, and He's working to make it real in my life, why don't I see it happening?  

That’s a great question and it’s something I’ve grappled with for a long while before it finally made sense.  

Imagine our journey with faith as a road trip. It starts when we begin to believe in Jesus, and it continues as we trust that He's listening when we talk to Him. Think of this journey as putting on a special pair of glasses that changes how we see everything. These glasses are our beliefs, and they shape how we understand the world and what happens to us.  

Have you ever thought about always being happy, praying a lot, and finding reasons to be thankful? It might seem really hard, almost impossible. But what if I told you that our beliefs play a big part in making this stuff seem tough? Our actions and experiences match up with what we truly believe. So, when we don't see endless rejoicing, constant prayers, or lots of gratitude in our lives, it's because we're following what we believe deep down.  

Our lives work like a mirror. They reflect what we believe. If we believe something is too tough or not doable, it becomes true for us. It's like planting seeds in a garden. If we've unknowingly planted the idea that being joyful, praying all the time, and staying thankful in all situations isn't really possible, then it makes sense that we don't see those things growing in our lives. Our beliefs are like the soil in that garden, determining what grows.

So, next time we wonder why we're not feeling the way Philippians 4 talks about, let's remember that what we believe has a huge effect on what we do and how we feel. Just like our first steps toward Jesus were because of faith, that same kind of faith guides how we keep going. This journey involves both letting go of beliefs that hold us back from the truth and embracing ideas that set us free.  

In the end, what we experience matches what we believe. It's like painting a picture of our lives on a canvas. As we move forward, let's keep in mind how much power our beliefs have. They can change our story, help us break free from limits we thought were there, and make those big ideas a reality we can actually reach through the power of God’s grace and the Holy Spirit.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• In what ways can we identify and challenge limiting beliefs that hinder our ability to live out the principles laid out in Philippians 4?
• How does the combination of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks lead to the supernatural peace mentioned in Philippians 4:7?
• How can we align our beliefs with God's will, embracing unceasing joy, constant prayer, and boundless gratitude as integral aspects of our faith journey? 
• Prayer: Heavenly Father, I recognize that my beliefs shape my actions and experiences. Open my eyes to any limiting beliefs that are holding me back from fully living out the principles in Philippians 4. Grant me the courage to challenge these beliefs and replace them with truths that align with Your Word. In doing so, help me to embrace a life marked by continuous prayer, unending joy, and overflowing gratitude. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. 

Family Devo: Philippians 4

By: Carrie Hobson 

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.  

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