Read: Philippians 4:6-7
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Understand:
- What should we worry about?
- How should we make requests to God?
- What is one thing that also must accompany prayer and petition?
- What will guard our hearts and minds?
- What else does the peace of God do besides guard our hearts and our minds?
Listen:
Let’s be real. Anxiety can get the best of me sometimes. Many times, I have been in bed reciting Philippians 4:6-7 over and over until I fell asleep. It was a reminder that Christ has everything that is going on under His control even though I know it isn’t within my control. We are freely given God’s peace and this is a different kind of peace. In John 14:27, Jesus tells us “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” To me, this is one hard thing to accept. Jesus freely gives us His peace. It is unconditional and can control every thought to the point that our hearts are not troubled or full of fear. We just have to accept it.
One problem that some of us may have is that we think we should be able to fix whatever it is that is troubling us. This may be true in some cases and that takes courage to examine our behaviors to see if we need to make an adjustment, ask for forgiveness and not do it again. That is repentance. 2 Peter 5:6-7 says “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.” In my mind, too often, I have brought something to God because I just couldn’t handle it anymore. The stress was too much. The anxiety overwhelming. It felt so good to release it into His care. I could see myself placing it into His hands and Him smiling at me for doing what He tells us to do for our own benefit. A few days would go by and I felt so much better then, out of impatience or pride, I could see myself walking back up to Him and taking it out of His hands. Why on earth would I do that? I don’t want it! Yet, I take it back! Proverbs 12:25 explains “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down.” Can anyone relate to that heaviness of heart that we have when we hold on to anxiety instead of giving it to Christ and seeking His peace? In Philippians 4:6-7 we are promised that the peace of God can surpass every thought we have, if we will let it. Our thoughts are what need to be placed under the power of Christ because that is what gets our emotions and anxiety performing in full force. But God’s peace can overcome those thoughts in order for our hearts and minds to be protected. Let’s conclude with this verse so we understand how powerful God’s peace really is.
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
-John 16:33
Jesus has already conquered this world! That’s how powerful His peace is. He has won. We live under His protection in this fallen world. Will things be tough sometimes? Yes! But allow Christ to protect your heart and your mind. Allow Him to take your anxiety and replace it with His peace. We are given a directive: “Be courageous!” How can we have courage in this fallen world? We can remember that He has already conquered it!
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remember Your word! This is why it is so important to read, study, and memorize Your word. It guards us and protects us and allows us to recall Your promises. Help us give you our troubles. They are never too much for You even though they can seem all-consuming for us. Help us enter into Your peace so you can guard our hearts and minds. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
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