Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let learn how to experience God’s peace through suffering.

The Apostle Paul wrote in today’s scripture, Philippians 4:9 (NIV)…
[9] 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.

Consider…
There are four main learning styles: visual, aural/auditory, read/write and kinesthetic, known collectively as “VARK.”

When I read today’s verse, I hear the Apostle Paul saying regardless of how learned what I was teaching about living for Christ, practice it.

This begs the question, what did Paul teach?

I believe Philippians 1:29-30 (NLT) summarizes it best…
[29] For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. [30] We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

Paul was teaching us how joyfully live and suffer for Christ.

In fact Paul said in Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)…
[3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

And just a few chapters later he expounds…
Romans 8:17-18 NLT
[17] And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. [18] Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

Yes, Paul’s primary lesson was about properly suffering for Christ.

Understanding Paul’s lesson, I became curious why he chose to teach the glory inspired suffering lesson. The Holy Spirit answered, he didn’t choose the lesson, the Lord did.

Acts of the Apostles 9:15-16 (NLT) explains…
[15] But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. [16] And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

This is important because it tells us that, like Pre-K through 5th grade students, we don’t get to choose the lessons we’re taught.

Accordingly, rather than telling the Lord what you want to learn, learn what He chooses to teach.

This make me think of Romans 12:2 (NLT) which exhorts…
[2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Speaking of changing our thinking, today’s scripture follows three important steps to experiencing God’s peace in our lives:

Step 1 is get your attitude right. Philippians 4:4-5 (NLT) instructs…
[4] Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! [5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

A good attitude is vital to achieving a higher aptitude.

Paul shows us an example of a good attitude about glory inspired suffering in Philippians 3:10-11 (NLT). He wrote…
[10] I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, [11] so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

Step 2 is get your perspective right. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) instructs…
[6] Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. [7] Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

As I read that, I thought of Philippians 1:20-21 (NLT), where Paul said…
[20] For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. [21] For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.

When living for Christ is the lens we see suffering through, we’re more inclined to do it joyfully and willingly.

Step 3 is get your mind right. Philippians 4:8 (NIV) instructs…
[8] Finally, brothers and sisters, 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

Whenever I think of having the right mindset, I immediately go to Philippians 2:5-7 (NIV), where Paul wrote…
[5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

But Paul wasn’t the only one to highlight Christ’s right mindset example. Hebrews 12:2-3 (NLT) instructs…
[2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. [3] Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

You see, Paul followed Christ’s example, so when he’s saying follow his example, he’s really saying follow me following Christ.

In today’s verse, I believe the Apostle Paul is saying to Christians, you’ve seen me have a Christ-Like…

• Attitude
• Perspective
• Mindset

That’s what Paul’s telling us to practice.

So today, practice having a Christ-like attitude, perspective and mindset about suffering for Him. And find comfort in knowing that the God of Peace is with you through it all.

Today’s song is…
I’m At Peace

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)