A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)
A peaceful heart is content and this notion is in opposition to pop culture. Today’s culture is about having everything that is bougie. Everyday we are constantly informed of styles fresh off the runway, latest model of phones and cars, trendy food culture that we need to look successful. Walk around with a wheat grass or kale smoothie? You are still drinking wheat grass? We are way past it. We moved from spinach the health food to kale to quinoa to avocado to keto. I hear the latest trend is tuna diet. What have we become? We are so fixated on looking the part, we forget what it takes to be responsible to oneself. We are no longer content with a phone or a car that works. We must have the latest model or we are not living the best life. I am guilty of this. When a coworker told me her phone is 5 years old, my jaw dropped. I realized I am judging her by how old her phone is. When did I turn into this? I asked another person what phone she has and her answer started with an explanation, “I know my phone is old. It is iPhone 6” For the record, the first person and second person do not know each other and these two incidents happened in two different states. When did we start explaining why we do not have the trendiest item? While trying to keep up with everyone else, we are exhausted financially and morally. I miss the days when potlucks meant bring good delicious healthy food and having some quality time together. I miss the simple days where people drove cars until it cannot be fixed, bought new phones when the old one no longer works and planned meals around what was on sale.
Recently I started my journey towards freedom from debt. I struggle with debt greatly and most of it is from student loans. My brother and sister-in-law started listening to Dave Ramsey and The Budget Mom. Their commitment to financial health inspired me to start my journey. This makes me take a good hard look at myself and I had to explain to myself why I spend $250 at department store pretty much every month. I realized I am not content. Paul says in Philippians 4 that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. The context of this verse is being content not jumping off a cliff with friends. Paul was writing it from prison not a comfy couch. How was he able to say that he can do all things through Christ who gives him strength? He is in prison for preaching the gospel but he seems to be at peace. He is not concerned about the latest and greatest. How is this possible? Verse 1 for chapter 4 says he longs to see his brethren in Christ at Philippe. His love for fellow brethren and his yearning to preach the gospel keeps him going in the cold prison. It does not matter whether he is in chains or free his goal in life was to preach Jesus saves!
Despite the circumstances he reminds his fellow brothers to rejoice in the Lord. Why should we rejoice? How can we rejoice? How is it possible to rejoice when life keeps crushing him? Because the Lord is near. Lord is near to the broken-hearted and listens to their cry. Paul also says to let others see our gentle spirit. I hear some people are indifferent to others because they had a hard life. I do not think having a hard life gives us a pass for indifference towards people who are suffering. Do not get me wrong – if someone is lazy and hungry, I believe they should work and feed themselves. But if someone gets knocked down by life, we should do our best to help them. After all, if you had a hard life, you know the struggle. Letting our gentle spirit known to others is not easy. In everything with thanksgiving we can let our heavenly Father know our needs, wants and crazy impossible dreams. I know my Heavenly Father is the God of the universe. Despite having a busy schedule, my Father in Heaven is near to me. Despite the tempest in life, knowledge and relationship with God keeps my heart at peace.
Where is our heart today? Is it surrendered to Christ and His kingdom? Are we able to say “let Your will we done in my life?” Are we at peace with God or chasing cisterns that will never satisfy?
