This is good stuff, probably the one verse I have held closest to my heart and mind as I have struggled through a past of depression, anxiety, and bitterness (I’m a pretty wretched person in the flesh).  Like I’ve said before, I tend to think spiritual “formulas” are bogus.  But, when the clear reading is a clear promise, and when it just makes this much sense…

Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)
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 everything, 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.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This is a formula for true peace, and I believe it will work 100% of the time.  Now… getting to the point were we rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, and IN EVERYTHING present our requests with thanksgiving, and think ONLY about what is right, pure, lovely… there’s the rub.  That’s not easy and I certainly don’t do it.  At least not always… OK, maybe only rarely do I really do it.  But when I’m in “that place”, I get real peace.  How can I not have real peace if I am rejoicing in the Lord, in thanskgiving knowing that my requests are in the hands of an omnipotent, sovereign, and loving God, with my thoughts on things that are pure, lovely, and praiseworthy?  It’s a no-brainer.

Real peace.  I don’t know about anyone else, but that’s what I really want in this world.  I’ve spent far too much time lacking it.  And THAT’s a formula that works.  All predicated on a thankful heart in a state of praise.

Tomorrow (or perhaps Saturday if I have trouble posting remotely), Thankfulness Part V - a Pensee.

love this passage, and it does absolutely work, 100%!  Amazingly we serve a God who by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit also helps us to walk this out in a way that we can’t on our own (Philippians 2:13).  We make the choice and submit ourselves to His working in and through us, and we find ourselves functioning on a whole new level spiritually.  It is life/day changing…so thankful!

...a thankful heart in a state of praise.  I love that! 
This is one of those scriptures that, for me, is so worth it to have memorized.  Many times meditating on this has been the difference between knowning HIS peace and not.

I had some anxiety rise up in me yesterday over my business and finances, but I practiced thankfulness toward Christ last night and this morning for all good and challenging things that came to mind.  I have to say, I feel like a new person today!  It seems to me, the thankfulness displaces the worries and fears.  I am thankful for God’s great words and gifts!