Everyone knew that my dog, Scooter was a little dog – except Scooter.  Scooter was a runt of a terrier who weighed 8 pounds.  Once at a Halloween party a large man dressed as Frankenstein walked into my house without knocking. Scooter charged, then leaped through the air to rip a giant hole in his pants.   Scooter was truly fearless.

Unlike Scooter, the small percentage of people who seem fearless are those who have learned how to have an inner calm and abiding peace, despite their fears.      

The apostle Paul wrote, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12  Pretty powerful words from a man who had been stoned, flogged, shipwrecked, imprisoned and who was ultimately beheaded.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know Paul’s secret so you and I can conquer fear and anxiety to find true and lasting peace!  The good news is that it comes in an easy, three-part recipe that Paul freely shares with us!

The first ingredient is to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” This means that we find our ultimate joy and hope in Jesus.  We can enjoy our victories and successes but always rejoice in the Lord.

The second ingredient is to “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”  When we put our primary focus on Jesus and our secondary focus on other things, it sure makes it easier to be gentle.  While other things move and sway, Jesus is always steady and will help us be gentle.

The third ingredient is “With thanksgiving and prayer, present your requests to God” – no matter what the income or the outcome always be thankful and prayerful.

We may never become truly fearless, but we can certainly be content in every situation.  Paul’s recipe promises “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”