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Erin Church of the NazareneAuthor: erinnazarene
At ECN, you already BELONG, even if you dont yet BELIEVE no matter your background or what youve done. Learn to TRUST God as he molds you to BECOME what you have been called to be. More resources and ways to connect: ErinNaz.com Language: en Genres: Christianity, Religion & Spirituality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Joy Over Anxiety: Prayer and Peace at Christmas
Episode 6
Tuesday, 9 December, 2025
Pastor Daniel Medders uses the Christmas season, with its travel, family tension, gift pressure, and financial strain, to introduce Philippians 4:4–7 as a passage about rejoicing, gentleness, and anxiety. He illustrates “rejoice in the Lord always” through personal stories, especially his mother in law Karen, who has endured both abandonment and widowhood yet remains deeply joyful, and through others like Miss Janet whose lives radiate steady joy. Pastor Medders explains that the word often translated “gentleness” carries the idea of more than justice, pointing to the way Jesus offers grace beyond what strict justice would demand, and calls believers to be people who refresh others rather than drain them. Instead of simply telling people to stop worrying, he teaches that God gives tools for dealing with anxiety, such as bringing every situation to Him in prayer and petition, being honest about fears, and giving thanks in all circumstances. He closes by urging listeners not only to admire joyful and peaceful Christians but to practice these disciplines of prayer, trust, and gratitude so that anxiety lessens and Christlike joy grows during the Christmas season.
