Articles
“Peace Through Discipline”
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Philippians 4:4
The church in Philippi was under intense pressure. They were contending with false teaching (3:2-3), persecution (1:27-30), temptations to selfishness and vanity (2:3-4), indulgence and greed (3:18-19) and even disagreements within the church family (3:2-3). Paul knew that the stresses they were under would have been a source of great anxiety so he counsels them against giving into fear and discouragement with a command to… rejoice?
Joy is not happiness. Happiness is an emotion that depends on external circumstances, on what happens. Maintaining happiness would require a perpetual state of pleasurable circumstances. Since life east of Eden is a series of peaks and valleys where change is the only constant, perpetual happiness just ain’t happening.
But we can rejoice in spite of and in the midst of hardship, but only “in the Lord.” That is, the sphere of our joy is in our unchanging fellowship with Christ rather than our ever-changing circumstances in the world. Being “in the Lord,” with all its attendant blessings, ought to bring us peace and joy (Jn. 16:33). Why, then, are so many Christians stressed out? It could be a lack of discipline. Paul offers a simple and practical solution to overcoming anxiety and finding peace through the disciplines of prayer, meditation and obedience.
The discipline of prayer — “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:6-7) Peace is granted to those who pray, who cast their burdens on the Lord (1 Pet. 5:6-7). “Are you weak and heavy laden, encumbered with a load of care? We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not take it to the Lord in prayer.” It sounds so simple, but so seldom do we do it in times of anxiety. There is a direct correlation between our peace and our prayer life. If you are not at peace then learn to pray.
The discipline of meditation — “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (4:8) Peace follows a disciplined mind. Undisciplined thinking and misplaced mental focus are sources of stress. Alter the text to reflect its opposite and you’ll agree. What if we focused only on what is false, what is shameful, what is unjust, what is foul, what is ugly, what is reprehensible, etc.? To think “only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5) leaves out any possibility of peace and joy. However, if we “set our minds on things above” (Col. 3:1), nothing can rob us of our joy in Christ. If you are not at peace, discipline your mind. Finally, Paul takes this a step further into action.
The discipline of obedience — “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (4:9) Behavior follows thought. Whatever occupies our mind will shape our life: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Prov. 4:23) Therefore, peace comes through practice. The deeper our obedience to Christ, the deeper our peace and joy in him grow. Strangely, true rest is found in serving the Lord (Mt. 11:28-30).
We all want to live more peaceful, joyful lives. But are we willing to humble ourselves to receive God’s gifts and discipline ourselves to enjoy them to their fullest extent? If we pray right, the peace of God will protect our hearts. If we think and live right, the God of peace will be with us, even in times of uncertainty and anxiety.
