The Peace that Passes All Understanding
There are times when we desperately need peace from God. The things that come our way, you know the ones we have no control over whatsoever, are pulling us in so many directions that peace seems to allude us. The abundant life always seems to be just out of our reach. It is in these moments that we must refocus on those thoughts that strengthen our souls.
Paul gave some great advice to the Philippians that I have taken to heart, and I hope you will too. In Philippians 4, Paul says to rejoice in the Lord always and again to rejoice. Paul is telling us how to live an abundant life by rejoicing, letting our moderation be known to all men, not worrying about anything but praying and giving our request to God with thanksgiving, and allowing the peace of God to keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
How can we do that? First of all, it is a choice. It is something we must choose to do. We must choose to put away worry and start choosing to rejoice. We are told to rejoice in the Lord for everything all the time. It is hard to truly rejoice when you are worried about the outcome. You have to trust the Lord completely to be able to rejoice in the hard times. We do not need to get worked up or worried about the future. We can let our moderation, that sweet reasonableness, be seen by all men. Our faith and our trust are in the Lord who is ever near. The Lord is at hand!
This is something we must continue to do. It is not something that we can do just one time, and it will never happen again. We must choose to do it continually and constantly choose to rejoice instead of worry. This takes a conscious effort on our part.
The next thing Paul tells us to do is to "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known unto God". Instead of worrying, we must pray and trust the Lord about everything. We are to pray earnestly and not to be anxious about everything. In days of tension and trouble, and in days of frustration and failure, instead of worrying, take it to the Lord in prayer. We are to earnestly pray and ask God for what we want and need.
The next part is the key to it all. This is done with Thanksgiving. Our prayers should be an act of freely giving thanks and being grateful to God for all the things that He has done and is going to do. It is a step of faith because we are believing God will work all things for our good and His glory. We thank Him in advance for His answer to the request that we are bringing to Him.
This is where we find the passage, "And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". God's peace will flood our soul as we give thanks and allow His peace to fill our souls. This peace is a peace that only God can give. This wonderful peace is a peace that passes all earthly understanding. God's peace will protect our soul. It will guard our heart, and it will keep watch over our mind. This peace only comes through Christ Jesus.
We don’t need to worry. We need to trust the Lord and rejoice because He has everything under control. Instead of worrying and fretting, take it to the Lord in prayer and thank Him for the victory in advance. When we do, God’s peace will flood our hearts and minds, even our very souls.
When you find yourself in need of real peace, follow God's way. Give it to the Lord and start thanking Him. Allow the peace of God to fill your hearts and minds. Allow God's peace to protect your heart, mind, and soul.