Peace Before Coffee: Putting Philippians 4:9 into Practice

Learning to practice God’s Word in the ordinary moments of our day.

What are “those things” Paul teaches us to do in Philippians 4:9?

One thing I can think of is taking our thoughts captive, because things aren’t always as they seem.

Our thoughts must be brought into the obedience of Christ. And as we bring our requests to God with thanksgiving, His peace keeps our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Peace Before Coffee: A Morning Lesson

We wake up tired, with multiple things demanding our attention before we even have time for our first cup of coffee.

After a week of multiple challenges, I couldn’t find my coffee. It seemed possible that I had left it in the bag at the store. I heard that thought rising in my heart and muttered it aloud. I was already expecting no coffee!

But I remembered the words written in the Word of God and changed my words: “Thank You, God, for waking me up today, with all the brand-new opportunities You have set before us to see.”

Eventually!

This is one thing I learn from those who suffered for Christ far beyond my comprehension: to praise God and give Jesus thanks, trusting His good purposes even in the challenges.

What Are “Those Things” in Philippians 4:9?

“Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” — Philippians 4:9, KJV

What are some other things Paul teaches us? And I love remembering how Jesus met Saul! Saul was blinded, and the Lord sent Ananias to lay his hands on him so that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:10–18).

Saul was also called Paul (Acts 13:9).

Jesus sees and knows us in all our situations and circumstances. We are learning to pray, thank Jesus, and walk in the Spirit, established in the faith.

Don’t let anyone persuade you to turn away from what God teaches in His Word. Keep walking with Jesus, remembering that others are watching and learning through your life, too.

“Those things” in Philippians 4:9 are the teachings the believers had received from Paul and the example of following Christ they had seen in his life. He calls them to put these things into practice. The surrounding verses give specific examples:

• Stand fast in the Lord — Philippians 4:1.

• Seek unity in the Lord, including working through disagreements — Philippians 4:2–3.

• Rejoice in the Lord always, even through painful circumstances — Philippians 4:4.

• Let your moderation be known, showing gentleness and forbearance toward others — Philippians 4:5.

• Bring your concerns to God with thanksgiving. His peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus — Philippians 4:6–7.

• Think on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report — Philippians 4:8.

• Learn contentment and depend on Christ’s strength, in both abundance and need — Philippians 4:11–13.

Those things… even before coffee? Pray, give thanks, think on what is true, and practice what we are learning. The ordinary moments of our day give us opportunities to live God’s Word. “And the God of peace shall be with you.” — Philippians 4:9

Bringing Our Thoughts into Obedience to Christ

Taking thoughts captive is also Biblical; that teaching is in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Paul speaks of bringing into captivity “every thought to the obedience of Christ,” in the context of casting down arguments and things that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God.

Thinking I might have left my coffee at the store wasn’t itself sinful. But uncertainty gave me an opportunity to respond with thanksgiving instead of letting frustration shape my morning.

Thanksgiving helps us respond faithfully while we still don’t know how a situation will turn out.

The invitation in Philippians 4:9 is to practice what we are learning.

What Does “Moderation” Mean?

In Philippians 4:5, “moderation” means gentleness, patience, and a willingness to be considerate rather than insisting on our own way.

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

— Philippians 4:5, KJV

Paul is teaching us to let people experience that gentleness in how we respond to them—even when we are tired, challenged, or treated unfairly.

It can look like:

• Pausing before answering in frustration.

• Speaking truth without harshness.

• Being patient with someone’s mistakes.

• Holding a necessary boundary with kindness.

It does not require overlooking wrongdoing. We can be firm and gentle together.

Paul gives a related instruction in Titus 3:2:

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

In my morning example, moderation would show in how I treated the people around me while I was tired and couldn’t find my coffee.

As Jesus teaches us patience, we can pause and answer gently instead of adding fuel to frustration.

I Found My Peace and Joy Before My Coffee!

My coffee was in the island when I got back into the kitchen after thanking God for all good and righteous things! Kinda humbling, isn’t it? It reminded me how much I need His strength, even in the little things.

I thank Jesus I found my peace and joy before I found my coffee!

Have a blessed day full of gratitude to our Lord, for your benefit and the benefit of those around you. Be kind, and continue faithfully in prayer.

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” — Romans 12:12, KJV

What if I had kept feeding that thought until my heart was full of grumbling and complaints? God already knew where my coffee was. He had awakened me and given me a sunrise to enjoy! What if we paused to give thanks and allowed time to see what He was teaching us? We don’t have to understand everything to be grateful. Whatever came next, I needed the joy of the Lord filling my heart. “For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10, KJV

We Don’t Have to Fuel the Fire

Take time to walk away when needed. We don’t have to answer anger with anger.

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1, KJV

Let your sticks of fire 🔥 be sticks of JOY in the Lord Jesus the Christ!

That’s my own picture of the words we choose:

instead of adding fuel to frustration or an argument, let’s speak words that encourage others and express our joy in the Lord.

The Biblical instruction is:

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” — Proverbs 26:20, KJV

This verse speaks specifically of how strife ceases when talebearing stops.

And Paul teaches us to speak “that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” — Ephesians 4:29, KJV.

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

— Philippians 4:4, KJV

Related encouraging words: Do what Jesus says do, "and The God of Peace Shall Be With You.

• 1) -DO- and THE GOD OF PEACE shall be WITH YOU - Phil 4:9

One little word asks us to put our learning into practice: “do.” What we receive from God’s Word can shape our thoughts, our words, and our next response—even in an ordinary morning. Thank You, Jesus, for teaching us to live what we are learning. — Philippians 4:9

The invitation is to practice what we are learning: “and the God of peace shall be with you.” — Philippians 4:9

• 2) HIS THOUGHTS TOWARD YOU = are of Peace, and not of evil ...

God had not forgotten His people in exile. Even through a long wait, His promise gave them hope. He is the same true and faithful God we trust today. — Jeremiah 29:10–14

• 3) LET - means we have a choice set before us ... and PATIENCE has a PERFECT work to do in you. THAT YOU may be PERFECT and ENTIRE wanting nothing! It's worth learning :) SEE above verses too and keep scrolling for more ...

Through the trying of our faith, patience grows. Let it do its work as we learn to walk with Jesus. — James 1:3–4

• 4) PEACE is a gift to RECEIVE. How do you accept Jesus' peace today?

Before the next demand, we can turn to Jesus and remember His promise of peace. — John 14:27

• 5) What is Peace? God's thoughts toward us is OF PEACE, and not of evil. IN JESUS CHRIST, we might have peace.

Jesus offers us peace in Him, even while we face trouble in this world. — John 16:33

• 6) Was there a COST OF PEACE?

Our peace came at a cost. Take a moment to remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus. — Isaiah 53:5

• 7) HOW do we find this peace of God? His thoughts toward us is OF peace, and not of evil.

We don’t need every answer before we bring our requests to God with thanksgiving. Giving thanks to Jesus helps turn our thoughts toward Him and what He teaches us. — Philippians 4:6–8

• 8) By prayer and supplication WITH thanksgiving, we LET ... our thoughts become HIS thoughts. "For He is our PEACE."

Jesus brings us near to God and reconciles us to God and one another. He is our peace. — Ephesians 2:13–18

The chastisement OF OUR PEACE was upon HIM.

Come to Jesus as you are. Tell Jesus what He already knows. He is able and willing to give you His Peace!

I hope this helps. To see this post as a reel, visit

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Love in Christ,

Karen, a fellow learner