Press into the Pushback: Put Peace on Repeat
LISTEN:
Press into the Pushback: Put Peace on Repeat
Philippians 4:4-9
August 4th, 2024
Repetition is a key discipline in learning.
Discipleship is “long obedience in the same direction.”
“Repetition creates long term memory by eliciting or enacting strong chemical interactions at the synapses of your neurons (where neurons connect to other neurons). Repetition creates the strongest learning—and most learning—both implicit (like tying your shoes) and explicit (multiplication tables) relies on repetition.” Understanding Learning and Memory: The Neuroscience of Repetition Gretchen Schmelzer January 11, 2015
Paul teaches these repeatable actions to the Philippian church…
Carry Confidence: Philippians 1:6
Live in Courage: Philippians 1:20-21
Walk Humbly: Philippians 2:5-8
Be Determined: Philippians 3:13-14
Put Peace on Repeat.
Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
Philippians 4:4-9 (Amplified) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again, I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.
“Take delight and pleasure in God regardless of what is going on around you”. This isn’t giving a rejoice strategy – Paul is coaching us toward a living perspective. Take delight and pleasure in the Lord because we aren’t losing, we are winning!
Philippians 4:6-7 (Amplified) 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
The most effective way to turn a worry into a repeatable prayer is to make a worry list. Creating a worry list gets stuff out of your head and onto paper. This action transforms your worry list into a strategic prayer list.
As long as your thoughts stay worries, the worries are in control. As soon as you write the worries down and turn them into prayers, you transfer the control to God! And what you will quickly find is that your worry list eventually turns into a testimony list. Worry List to Prayer List to Testimony List!
The only time you say thank you before your request is fulfilled is when you have 100% confidence that the person who has agreed to help has the power, will and reputation of delivering. The promise of God is the peace of God.
Before our repeated prayers, worries cast a huge shadow over our lives. Once they are on the worry list, God’s peace brings light and lightness that exceeds their “reality.”
Philippians 4:8-9 (Amplified) 8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.
Purposefully and intentionally you have to repeatedly tell your mind where to go until it can go there on its own.
It only takes a couple trusted people like Paul in your life to change the trajectory of your feelings, thinking and actions.
It’s amazing how much God (the source of peace) we experience when we repeat His practices and trust His promises. Peace is possible and repeatable!