Key words

After Philippians 4:4-9

A few key words for you,

my friends, just a few.

Consider them search terms:

Rejoice.

Be reasonable.

Chill; stay calm.

Pray.

Be thankful.

Focus on the good.

Focus on the beautiful.

Focus on the true.

Focus on the just.

Practice these things.

And wait.

It will not be long,

now.

Photograph by Camilo Jiminez via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Instead

After Philippians 4:4-9

Instead of anxiety,

consider and embrace

the true, the honorable,

the just, the pure,

the lovely the commendable,

the excellent, the worthy

of praise and admiration.

We know this.

We have known this.

Practice this, 

practice these things

in our lives; demonstrate

our learning, what is given,

what we’ve heard and seen

nestled within the peace

passing understanding.

Share this.

Like this.

Retweet this.

Photograph by Fernando @cfredo via Unsplash. Used with permission.

How then we shall be

After Philippians 4:4-9

How, then, we shall be?

Certainly not besotted

with the modern disease,

the modern addictions

of anxiety. Now, as then,

the Lord is near, his presence

permeating and spreading,

growing so silently and 

subtly that we tend

to miss it, but that is 

our problem, our failure,

he is here and near, and

his peace surrounds us,

guarding our hearts,

guarding our minds.

Reject anxiety, he says;

set it aside. Derangement

syndromes are always

with us, and have been 

since the great expulsion.

Photograph by Gabriel via Unsplash. Used with permission.