In 2013, Disney introduced audiences of all ages to a warm hug-loving snowman named Olaf. He enjoyed the beauty of living in the here and now understanding that he was loved, and dreamed of experiencing the warm heat of summer. Viewers giggled as he sang about being a happy snowman in summer because we knew what his reality would be if he ever got his wish! Olaf did not fear for his future and even when he faced danger, or literally fell apart, he laughed, and made us laugh, through it. Olaf had no anxious thoughts or worries. The simple things made sense to him and that was all that mattered.

In Philippians 4, Paul challenges us to live a steady life, to be joyful, gentle, and thankful, living without anxiety or worry about anything, basically to live like Olaf did! We can have that steadfast, worry-free kind of life by placing our trust in the One who holds the future, the One who knows our every step, and the One who can guard our hearts and fill us with a peace that goes far beyond our understanding... Jesus!

You may be thinking that this kind of living sounds unreasonable… fictional even! How can we just go through life without worrying about the future? Even just thinking of the immediate future calls for a little anxiety, right? Do I really have to be joyful all of the time? Paul says, in those times of stress and worry, take it to the Lord in prayer. And he tells us, not once but twice in the same sentence, to rejoice! We are not meant to understand all of this because the peace that God fills us with when we truly trust in Him transcends all understanding and will quite literally blow our mind! We can look to the future and sing about it, like snowmen in summer, knowing that God will see us through. Others will laugh at our absence of fear of what may come and that is okay because the God we serve will not leave you or forsake you (Deut. 31:8).

Suggested prayer: Dear Lord, teach me to live a life free of worry and fear with the knowledge that you have my future planned and in the palm of your hand. Help me to know your peace. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1.    Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV).

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.