If we were forced to give the book of Philippians a one word theme I don’t think any single word can better describe any book of the Bible than "Rejoice" defines what this book is all about. This verse has in common with all other verses that speak of the joy we should have in Christ the inability of men to really understand and apply them during a crisis. The answer is to have so practiced the principles of God during the good seasons that they are continued during the dry seasons from force of habit.

We are creatures of habit, and as we all continually allow this trait to lead us astray. We must learn to take advantage of that which comes naturally to us. Even brute creatures can be taught and from this and the study of animals we have developed what is known as behavior modification. This truth from the world of psychology is used every day to help people break "habits" and free themselves from substance abuse or irrational thoughts.

There are two methods of behavior modification that are almost equally effective with animals, reward for a desired action to a given stimulus or punishment for the wrong response. In some cases a combination of reward and punishment are used. In extreme cases with people as opposed to animals chemical intervention is employed to remove most conscious thought. The patient is then returned to a more normal state slowly over several days. This coupled with intense counseling and a controlled environment has some success, especially if the person can be kept away from the people or things that severely tempt them to reenter the old world they came from. Returning patients to the exact same environment will all but guarantee a relapse and a return to the old ways in a very short time. For this reason those who have a problem with substance abuse are told that they are still "sick" and always will be, they are to consider themselves as recovering addicts.

Though all secular counselors I am aware of will disagree with me, I will not accept that. When Jesus gives the gift of healing it is complete and will not return. With Christ we can be in the exact same circumstance and live with joy in the heart. Joy is not the same as happiness, and exists despite earthly circumstances, not because of them. Happiness is a temporal and fleeting emotion. Joy in the Lord is eternal. Why am I so sure this is true, and the healing is complete? Because God has spoken! So it isn’t I who dares make this bold statement, but the God who created us. The gifts of God are without shadow or turning. " Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17 AV).

Christ explains that when we "clean" up our own lives and that if we were able to remove all the evil within, that as soon as we have done so the demon we have removed will come back with seven of his friends and our end is worse than our beginning. We see a mild example of this when with all the will power and resolution we can muster we are able to lose a few pounds. Yet within a very short time the old habits are back and we end up bigger than ever before. Each time we start this process it is from a new record height on the scales.

In Christ we have a power within that gives us the ability to not only start anew, but to maintain that new life forever. To deny this truth is to call God a liar, for He has written, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13 AV). To search for this power in any other, especially self, is pure vanity. Most abuse programs teach the patients to seek the needed strength from an all powerful being, a supreme beneficent god, a higher power. I say to you that power is Christ and apart from Him there is none other.

A basic principle for the Christian is that God does not tell us to do what He does not give the means to do. God never requires anything of us He has not first given to us. The Bible says we are "to rejoice always." Therefore we can rejoice always for God has said so. The means of doing so we find in Philippians 4:8 where we read " Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." In many ways we are what we think we are and can do what we think we can do. This takes a singleness of mind few men can maintain for more than a very short time. Yet, when we keep our mind on Christ and contemplate not the evil around us, but the goodness provided by God our lifestyle does change.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7 AV). Some versions of the Bible use the word "fear" for "careful" in the beginning of this fantastic promise from God. Neither really expresses the Greek and I think the word "worry" would perhaps fit better. The word supplication is bowing before God in request for the basic things of life, very much in line with what we call the Lord’s prayer where we read "give us this day our daily bread." We could insert here the words, "with request for the basic necessities of life" and not injure the intent of the Scriptures.

The solution then is a combination of relying on God in prayer, seeking the provision of the basic things of life with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving for the little things is important. This is part of the training needed to bring about the ability to obey God in what we think about as outlined in verse eight. These two exercises of our spiritual nature will result in true behavior modification that does last a lifetime, and no man can snatch it away. Why? Because the Holy Spirit dwells within and fills the space vacated the evil that existed previously. Whereby we read "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4 AV). God’s system of behavior modification is one of reward, bringing peace and pleasure when we are obedient. God doesn’t need to punish, by nature our sins carry condemnation of self and misery, without God’s adding to the burden. In Christ we have strength and freedom.

Turn to Christ now, while the storms are but shadows on the horizon and when the rains come, you will have shelter in the Rock of Ages, Christ is your anchor and will not be moved. Are you already engaged in the battle of your life? Though slower and harder to see in the darkness of the underside of life, The same medicine brings healing, and that both complete and eternal. God has provided the answer to every problem mankind has or will ever face, Jesus Christ. God has not, will not, leave you alone no matter how dark the circumstances appear. Here is a friend upon whom you can cast your cares (worries or fears) because He cares for you.

An old secular saying is that practice makes perfect. We train soldiers and police officers to survive because they practice continually the skills needed to live on the violent side of life. They are trained before they enter the battle, so during the times of stress they act from instinct without conscious thought. As soldiers of the cross we need to train now before we "really" engage the enemy. However without adversity we would not mature and even with trained troops, it takes experience in "real life" to hone their skills to perfection. So it is for the Christian soldier. Be of a sound mind, stand fast and watch the enemy flee before you.

Let this be the day you turn to Christ. Today establish your family altar. Today set aside a time, morning and evening to bow before God in prayer and thanksgiving. Today find a church where you can go and have your soul fed. Today determine to exercise the faith given of God, and enter the new life in Christ the Bible is all about. Already a Christian, yet falling short of these marks? Let today be the one in which you begin these things and leave evidence to convict you for being a child of the King. Jesus Christ is the answer!