From reading the morning newspaper to watching the evening news, we are daily surrounded by fearful things. School shootings. Murder. Disease. Terrorism. How can anyone find peace in such a fearful world?
Let me share some verses from the Bible that have truly opened my eyes to the peace of God: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6).
What weighs you down? What thoughts consume your mind? How do you respond to them? The command is clear–don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need. Are you in need of something? Tell your Father. He cares for you and he desires to help you. Don’t tell him what you want. Tell him what you need.
And, to help you gain a perspective on what you need, take some time to thank him for all he has done. Surely God has done some good things in your life. A heart of thankfulness will open the door to prayer.
Now, if you do those things–don’t worry, pray, tell God what you need and thank him–then God promises you his peace. Read the very next verse: “If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (verse 7).
And, it’s not a peace that the world can offer you–it’s a peace that is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. It’s a peace that passes all understanding. There is no way to define or explain this kind of peace. It’s a divine peace, a supernatural peace, a heavenly peace.
And, here’s what makes God’s peace so special–it will guard your heart and mind as you live in Christ Jesus. Does your heart and mind need guarding? Live in Christ Jesus, and it will be guarded.
Prayer: Dear Father, I live in a fearful world. All around the storms of fear consume my thoughts and my mind. So many things weigh me down. Help me to give those burdens to you. Help me not be anxious about anything, but pray about everything. I will tell you what I need, and thank you for all you have done for me. Help me to live in Christ Jesus. I surrender my life to you, and to you alone. Let your heavenly peace cover me that I may rest in you. I ask these things in your Son’s precious name. Amen.
