Lent Day 10 Experience His Peace

Reading

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4 – 7

Reflection

Today Paul exhorts us to “rejoice in the Lord always” and to not be “anxious about anything”. You may well ask how you can do that when there is so much going on around you which is very difficult to cope with. Well, he suggests a few steps. Firstly, acknowledge and know that Jesus is near. He is with you. Believe it. Secondly, pray and speak to him about whatever it is that may be causing you anxiety and preventing you from rejoicing. Third, when you do this, remember how he may have helped you in the past and give thanks for it. Then, if you do these things, he says that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Try it!

Spiritual Exercise

Your to-do for today: Whenever you feel anxious today, pause and try and imagine that Jesus is standing there next to you. Remember, you can know God as a real person in Jesus. As you do this, also remember that when Jesus walked on this earth he would probably have experienced all the emotions you do. As you picture him there with you, simply speak to him and tell him about your issue. Then ask him to come and fill you with his peace. As you do this try and let it go, surrender it to him, give it to him, and so know the goodness of God.