Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4-7 (NRSV)

The entire world is going through a time of crisis. The War against terrorists continues. The financial markets are up and down. We worry about our health care, our investments, and often about our own relationships in our families. Where do we go for help? The politicians have not helped a great deal. They would rather fight with each other than solve the nations problems. If we are wise we know neither congress nor our president can bring personal peace. Only the Spirit of Christ can do this. So let the spirit be in you that was also in Christ Jesus. Our nation needs this spirit today and it starts in our homes and families.

The Apostle Paul writes a wonderful letter from prison to encourage the Philippian Church. The purpose of this letter was to bring two factions of the church together. The letter is written to help the church overcome a practical problem when personal rivalries disrupt relationships in the church. In Chapter 2, he gives a beautiful reflection that unites the deepest implications of our faith to bear on petty quarrels in the Church. In Chapter 4, he teaches us how to live daily in this faith. First he tells us:

*Don’t Worry. In Matt. 6:25 Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what will you wear.” Charley Brown said, “I have learned to dread only one day at a time.” It doesn’t do any good to worry about the past, since we can’t do anything about it. It is no use to worry about the future, since we aren't there yet. Live today. “Today confronts me with it’s task, I can accept or turn aside, But once this moment has been passed, the choice I make must then abide.”

*Focus on what you can control. Many of the things we worry about are things we can’t control. We worry about the weather, but we can’t control it. When we spend time worrying about things we can’t control, we loose our focus on what we can control. Modify your behavior. Gratitude comes from a good feeling about life. Many people miss life because they continue to compare their lot in life with that of others. There is always someone just a littler better off than we are. Someone who has a bigger home, a bigger SUV, and probably bigger debts. If on the other hand you compare yourself with someone who has less, you may fall into the sin of pride. Gratitude comes when we have a sober and sane estimate of ourselves, without making comparisons.

*Give thanks in everything. “In” is different from, “for” everything. We don’t give thanks for terrorists, snipers, or for dishonest business men who cheat and steal from their companies for their own profit. We give thanks for the rain when it’s falling, the sun when it’s shining, and for pain free days when we have them.

*Don’t panic in a land of promise. Our nation is going through great changes. We have learned since 9/11 that we are not invincible, We have entered what many call a siege mentality. It is reflected in the increased language of War, and Homeland security. We can give thanks for a country that can reshape the argument in a way that gives a constructive response to those who want to wage war on anyone who is different. The last election was downright dirty. Some of the hate continues even in some local pastors. We must build relationships not hatred.

*Finally, Think about spiritual things. Have the same mind in you that was in Jesus who had the power of God available to him, but did not grab this power, but emptied himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on the cross. The partisan spirit, partisan jealousies, and private ambitions are the problems of all who try to work together in a church, in politics, or in business. Christ’s spirit overcomes this divisive spirit. His spirit brings unity, inclusiveness, compassion and hope.

The poem Hope helps us live in gratitude for all life.

The future calls to us as hope , with possibilities that are wild and free
Like a butterfly, called into being from a chrysalis, we break free and fly,
Our openness is a part of hope, we see small openings for new efforts,
And give birth to new efforts, from small openings, our world changes through us.
We become instruments of new values, transforming our small slice of history,
Step by step, through insight and innovation, hope opens the world to what it might be.
J Jacobson

Our hope is anchored in the transcendent hope that God cares about us. We continue to live out of a sense of unity with others, God and the world. We work for the inclusiveness of all people, have compassion for the poor and pray for the pardon of all who are imprisoned by sin.

The Apostle Paul suggests that we change the way we think. Think pure thoughts. Concentrate on what is true. Think about whatever is honest and honorable and whatever is just. This is the spirit needed in our families as we look to a future with hope. There is so much to be grateful for this thanksgiving season and we pray for one thing more - - - a grateful heart.