Safeguards

Safeguard: a precautionary measure, stipulation, or device; a technical contrivance to prevent accident

We have so many safeguards in place.  Annual physicals detect health ailments, life insurance provides for your family in case something happens to you and we can even add emergency contact numbers to our drivers licenses.  Many of us are protected against the larger things in life, but what if we could guard ourselves against the things rob us of everyday joys?  Wouldn’t you love to have a “precautionary measure, stipulation or device” to guard against:

1) Jealousy

2) Discontentment

3) Anger

4) Greed

5) Anxiety, and

6) Unforgiveness?

Fortunately, such a thing exists and it you don’t even have to enroll for a policy.  Look close at Philippians 3:1 and you’ll find the prescription:

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!  It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” 

Sound too simple?  Give it a try.  Think about something that fuels one of the categories above.  You can take a minute and let your blood start boiling.  Now, rejoice in the Lord.  Thank God for your health, good relationships, the freedom to read and study His word freely or whatever it is that is most significant to you right now.  Let yourself really stop and think about this as you sincerely and genuinely thank God.

Remember the thing you were thinking about before?  Yeah, me neither.  Pretty good safeguard, huh?