Philippians 4:4-7 The Message
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Our culture surrounds us with things that subtract from our ability to find peace and tranquility.
Let’s be honest—we live in an instant generation—we literally despise waiting for anything. Tranquility is not instantaneous and neither is it always welcome.
We would not be able to handle dial-up Internet.
Today, if it doesn’t load in less than two seconds, then something is wrong.
Earbuds, iPads, social media, sports, shopping and work.
All of these contribute to our busyness.
They are not bad in and of themselves, but they detract us from our tranquility.
Tranquility is an inner sense of calm that “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
This is from God and, I believe, that it’s mostly found through relational, intimate prayer.
Finding tranquility in moments of still prayer is not easy to do in our instant culture, so here are a few tips.
Slow down
In John Ortberg’s book, Soul Keeping, he suggests that the challenges of the world test the depths and elasticity of the soul.
Like a computer’s operating system, our soul integrates everything—the will, body, emotions and seeks harmony.
When we overload the system, it is bound to crash.
We need to slow down.
We’re so busy doing life, that we forget about life.
In our packed schedules, we have one gear—fast.
Slowing down allows us to carve out intentional time to get alone with the Creator.
We can’t find tranquility in crammed calendars.
A friend of mine made an acrostic for the word, busy—“bent under Satan’s yoke.”
I like that.
I learned that slowing down for intentional times of prayer, increased my peace and ability to wait on God.
As it’s been said, we were created for camel time, for horse and buggy time.
Right up until 1900, mankind rode upon horseback or walked.
This allowed times for processing and time for prayer.
We had intentional alone time with God.
Nowadays, we shut our car doors, turn on the XM satellite, and away we go.
What is the concept of tranquility?
The noun tranquility means “a state of peace and quiet,” like the tranquility you feel in the woods, at the shore of a quiet lake or inside a beautiful cathedral.
Tranquility can also describe a person’s disposition …
What does tranquility in my heart mean?
I suggest it means a peaceful, calm state, without noise, violence, worry, etc.: living in peace and tranquility.
What is the spiritual meaning of tranquility?
It is a state of mind that transcends external circumstances, enabling we as individuals to experience serenity, harmony, and a deep sense of contentment.
Why is tranquility important?
Tranquility has also been suggested to improve mental health and reduce psychological distress by reducing stress and anxiety, allowing one to have more control over their thoughts, helping one to sleep better and to take more time to carefully consider, derive new solutions, to manage difficult situations.
What is the difference between peace and tranquility?
Peace is a broader concept that encompasses societal and global harmony, while tranquility primarily relates to an individual’s inner state of calmness and serenity.
Peace can involve resolving conflicts, while tranquility focuses on achieving a peaceful and tranquil state of mind.
Lets take it a step or two further …
What does the Bible say about tranquility?
10
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
11
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah. Psalm 46:10-11
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 “Do not let your heart be troubled; [a]believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
25 “These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:25-27
What is the meaning of divine tranquility?
Divine Tranquility is a graceful tribute designed to convey solace, compassion, and unwavering support during times of loss.
All this GOD depth of meaning to be found in that single word – TRANQUILITY!
Having read these meanings, have you the reader begun to feel any Tranquility?
Finding Tranquility in God’s Presence
Philippians 4:4-7 Amplified Bible
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
n a world filled with uncertainty and turmoil, the peace of God offers us solace and tranquility.
It is a peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
To experience the peace of God, we surrender our anxieties and worries to him in prayer.
We present our requests with thanksgiving, knowing God cares deeply for us.
In God’s presence we find comfort, assurance, and a quiet confidence that he is in control.
The peace of God is not dependent on our circumstances but on our trust in him.
It is a supernatural peace that defies logic and goes echelons beyond our human understanding.
As we focus on the Lord and on his great mercy, care, and faithfulness to us, we find peace that transcends the chaos around us.
In every situation, let’s turn to God, seeking his peace.
May we cultivate a heart of gratitude, knowing that God is our truest source of strength and security. As we abide in him, his peace will guard our hearts and minds, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and confidence.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 23 Amplified Bible
The Lord, the Psalmist’s Shepherd.
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me],
I shall not want.
2
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still and quiet waters.
3
He refreshes and restores my soul (life);
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake.
4
Even though I walk through the [sunless] [a]valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You have anointed and refreshed my head with [b]oil;
My cup overflows.
6
Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 