Paul wanted the best life possible for the people to whom he was writing. To give attention to repetitive unhealthy thoughts and feelings is to be loaded down and distracted from life. Instead of anxiety the Philippians were to do three things.
    One, they were to be in continual prayer. They were to be "prayed up" before the negatives came.
    Second, if a special problem came along, they were to take immediate action by praying instead of worrying. They were to deal with the issue by praying anxiety OUT of their life.
    Third, place confidence unreservedly in God and live with rejoicing and thanksgiving. It is much more fun to be preoccupied with thoughts of God than with anxiety. The Philippians plan for living is also for us. We have to take charge of our thoughts.

    David and his fighting men had been hiding in the cave of Adullam. He was fleeing Saul. Many of life's down and out had come and joined David's army. David was content to stay in the stronghold of safety. Then, God's prophet came to David and told him that he must leave the stronghold and go into the land of Judah.
    When life beats down on us and we get to the place where we want to hide in a cave, God often places people around us who prod us into moving in the right direction. He does not want us to remain in the place of discouragement. He wants us to move into the land of "praise." Judah means "praise."
    I recall when I went through a very difficult time. It seemed to drag on and on with no change until finally I wanted to retreat to a cave and forget pressing on. It was a great time of discouragement. A godly man came to me and said, "You must keep moving! There are too many who are depending on you in the Kingdom." I didn't totally understand what he meant at the time. Now I know he was saying God is preparing each of us to be the vessel He wants to use in the life of another person, but we will never be that vessel if we give up and hide in our cave of discouragement. Not only must we keep moving, we must move into a new realm. Our attitude must move from discouragement to praise.
    It is when we move past discouragement to praise that we begin living above our problems. Make a decision today to go to the land of Judah.

    We must be born again to even begin to understand this verse. In fact, we may still not grasp it fully. It is impossible to have peace if we base our understanding of life on the world's principles. Jesus readily admits that "in the world you have tribulation." Not because we are "bad people" but because it is the nature of the world.
    Do not give up. Jesus also says, "in Me you may have peace." Peace and contentment will never come from this world. He says, "take courage," or actively pursue that which is not of this world - God. Well, God is not really out of this world, but as the Holy Spirit he lives in His children in the world. He is PEACE. If we are willing to stay miserable, we can, but peace is available even while living in the tribulations of the world. This sounds unbelievable but it is true.