Inshallah - Philippians 4:1-7

4:1-5 - Paul urges the saints at Philippi to “stand fast in the Lord,” which means to remain committed to the cause and keep the commandments even when it gets hard. Interestingly, he also urges the men to “help those women which labored with me in the gospel.” The article on this chapter says that it was Lydia and “other sisters from Philippi” specifically who helped Paul. The IM quotes President J. Reuben Clark Jr. as teaching, “From (New Testament times) until now woman has comforted and nursed the Church. She has borne more than half the burdens, she has made more than half the sacrifices, she has suffered the most of the heartaches and sorrows.” That was encouraging to me because I feel like I do my best with the gospel, but it’s very hard and I don’t get a lot of help or support. Paul also advises “Let your moderation be known unto all men.” The article quotes Ezra Taft Benson as noting, “the condition of the physical body can affect the spirit. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word of Wisdom… IN general, the more food we eat in its natural state- without additives- and the less it is refined, the healthier it will be for us. Food can affect the mind… Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit. Wholesome recreation is part of our religion and is a necessary change of pace, even its anticipation can lift the spirit.” When we think about the Word of Wisdom, we don’t usually focus on the part that talks about food, and I think it’s interesting that he said “food can affect the mind.” That makes sense, but it’s not something that really is brought up very much. The whole early to bed, early to rise thing is also hard for me because I take call and lose a lot of sleep because of that. In fact, I’m quite tired right now. Maybe that’s why I’m struggling. 4:6-7 - Paul makes a statement that when read now seems to say, “you don’t have to be careful about anything,” maybe a “inshallah” type of statement, but the IM says, “The Greek phrase translated as ‘be careful for nothing’ means not to be unduly anxious, fretful, or concerned. Paul taught that the antidotes for anxiety were prayer and trust in the Lord. They bring ‘the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,’ and they help guard our hearts and minds against fear.” Today has been rough for me. My kids are teenagers and they are really hard to deal with. I love them but man it’s exhausting and demoralizing to work so hard to take care of my kids and give up sleep and stiff for them only to have them scream at me the whole day and be mad. It’s really really hard. But maybe I don’t pray about them and our situation enough, maybe that’s what I need to do. Maybe I just need to trust that I’m doing the right things and that one day they will see that.