As elections draw near incumbents toot their accomplishments while polls reflect how voters assess their record.

Polls are dubious at best but here’s what they report:

How are we feeling? Pretty dismal!

                71% Wrong track.

                72% Country not as great as it once was just 3 years ago.

                59% Economy is doing poorly.

                61% The American dream is broken.

 What are we afraid of?

                60% Covid

                83% Crime

How has society changed?

                61% Support Gay Marriage.

                61% Morally accepted to have a baby out of wedlock.

                58% Marijuana should be legalized.

These statistics do in fact paint a dismal picture. As such can impact the quality of life for believers in Christ and unbelievers.

Jesus said: It rains on the just and the unjust.

If we focus on the bad news of the day by definition, we take our eyes off Jesus and His Good News for today!

So how do we get refocused? How do we find some balance, some equilibrium, and not fail into the abyss of stress and anxiety created by the negative spirit of the age?

Our text offers some healthy advice.

Philippians 4:4-8 (KJV)

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

V4. Rejoice in the Lord always.

Life is in large measure a matter of attitude. This verse teaches that a healthy attitude is built on Christ as its foundation, Joy is born and seeded in the heart and mind of the believer as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The truth is Jesus’ Joy can overcome even your most dire circumstances! Those without Christ will find that Joy will elude them because the culture will focus one’s search for joy in all the wrong places.

V6 Instruct =- Don’t let anxiety master you. A little stress and anxiety are part of life but when they dominate your days and nights there are consequences.

Blaise Pascal – a mathematician and philosopher said: “One of the ways, in which man brings trouble upon himself is by his inability to be still.” Pascal agrees with the Lord.

Psalm 46: Be still and know that I am God…” In other words – slow down, refocus your thought looking to Jesus.

V7. God promises to guard your mind. II Timothy 1:7 ^“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

V8 The Holy Spirit reveals sin things we must keep in focus: Things Honest,

                                                                                                            True

                                                                                                            Right

                                                                                                            Pure

                                                                                                            Lovely

                                                                                                            Admirable

When you become stressed out – when life is moving too fast, when you are bogged down in the negative – when your mind seems like it is in a whirlwind, it’s time to claim God’s promises.

Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.”

So, trust the Lord, stay focused and He will supply you with whatever you need to get through today!!