I cherish these words from the letter that St. Paul wrote to believers in the city of Philippi, an important Roman colony in Greece. Paul knew how destructive worry and fear can be. He wrote these words while imprisoned under Roman guard, which makes Paul’s challenge to us to trust in Jesus and to rejoice in all situations even more inspiring and amazing:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say REJOICE. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is ANYTHING worthy of praise, THINK about these things.

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4: 4-9)