Don't Worry, Be Happy?

I can already hear you humming.
"Here's a little song I wrote, you might want to sing it note for note,
Don't worry...Be..."
What was that? Happy?
Well, sure, I'm always happy. (Ducks as impending lightening bolt will hit at any minute).
Okay, you got me. I'm not.
But I should be.
Listen to this:
'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.'Philippians 4:4-9
If you ask me, that's some pretty tall orders.
Do you rejoice all the time? Are you happy all the time and never worried about anything?
Don't look at me. I'm not.
Oh sure, when things are great, I'm really happy. I've got no problem rejoicing and giving glory to God. Let's party!
But when I'm faced with trials, things that just don't make sense, things that hurt, it's hard to rejoice.
It's hard not to be anxious. About anything.
Are you serious? Yes. That's what God says. Do not be anxious about anything.
Okay, so here's my deal. We've got a prowler in the neighborhood. Our next door neighbors were robbed the other night.
I'm anxious about that.
Am I not supposed to be?
We can put up security sensors and extra bolts and locks, but I still need to sleep at night.
'but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace..."
What's that? The peace of God.
I don't believe there is anything in the Bible that tells me the Christian life is going to be a cakewalk.
Actually, there's a lot that indicates the contrary. If I follow God, I will have trials.
But when these times come, I will also have peace. As long as I'm asking for it.
As long as I accept it.
It was a pretty recent revelation that the peace of God is actually a gift.
In John 14, Jesus gives this wonderful 'chin-up' speech to the disciples. It's one of those tender moments between them
when I think we really get a glimpse into the heart of heaven. He says, don't worry about all this. I'm going to prepare a place for you, and I'm going to come back and get you. There are so many wonderful truths in this passage, but here again, that
peace comes in to play. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
It's a supernatural peace. And we can have it.
I'm certainly in need of it.
As I sit here this morning, contemplating the recent robbery, just next door, I can't help but remember praying just before
I went to bed that night, for God's protection. That He would put His angels around our house to guard us.
Interesting.
That's one prayer I'm going to continue to pray.
Shalom. Peace.
It's a beautiful thing.