In review of Philippians 4:7 it says, “If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand” (TLB).
Today’s verse comes from Philippians 4:6-7. In it Paul reminds me to not worry or stress about anything; instead, I should pray about everything. I simply tell God what I need, and then thank him for all he has done. When I do, then I will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. His peace will guard my heart and mind as I live in Christ Jesus.
Will it ever be possible to never worry about anything? It seems like an impossibility; as I have worries in my job, at home, and with the world. Paul's advice to me is to turn my worries and concerns into prayers.
So, to worry less, I need to pray more. When ever I feel a worry or concern come up, I need to stop and pray.
I'm reminded this morning that God's peace is drastically different from the world's version of peace. I will not find true peace in positive thinking, the absence of conflict, or in just having good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. My citizenship in Christ's Kingdom is sure, my destiny is set, and I can have victory over sin. I need to let God's peace guard my heart against any anxiety that comes up or I feel.
In general our culture is more stressed than ever. And this stress is deadly. As of June 2018, suicide rates in the US are up 30 percent since 1999. If we’ve ever needed God’s stress-free guarantee, it’s today.
The Bible shares God’s guarantee in Philippians 4:7, where it says, “If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand” (TLB).
This isn’t a stress guarantee from a doctor. It’s not a guarantee from a pharmaceutical company. It’s so much better. It’s a guarantee from the Creator of the universe.
Today I’m challenged to imagine myself in a situation where I have no logical reason to be at peace, but still I am. Well this is God’s guarantee. It’s God’s promise. There are more than 5,000 promises in the Bible, and every one of them has a premise. Every promise has a premise. There is a premise behind God’s stress guarantee, as well. The verse from Philippians 4 begins with, “If I do this.”
It is possible to “experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.” Stress doesn’t have to win. Stress and anxiety do not need to control me. There is hope and it’s found in following and trusting in Jesus and having the certainty of knowing that God is in control.
Bottom Line:
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
What this means to me:
If I stop and pray about my concerns and anxieties, I will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than what my mind can understand. His peace will keep my thoughts and my heart quiet and at rest as I trust in Christ Jesus.
In summary, I should not worry or stress about anything, instead, I should pray about everything. Simply tell God what I need, and then thank him for all he has done. If I do, then I will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything I can understand. God's peace is different from the worlds. The world's form of peace is positive thinking or good feeling, or the absence of conflict. God's peace comes from me knowing that God is in control and that my destiny is set.
As I reflect on today’s passage I sense God telling me that, especially at work, that I’m being too stressed and carrying lots of anxiety. He wants me to know that I can bring any concern, no matter how little or how big to him. I can tell him what I need. He will provide in his own way what I need, whether it be relief, guidance or learning/training that I need. Instead of me holding onto these, I need to pause and ask God. This morning Father I pray for the Holy Spirit to remind me of this simple act. To experience your grace and your peace. I pray also for your wisdom and guidance for my day. More importantly, help me interact and respond well to others. In you Son Jesus name I pray, amen!
0 comments:
Post a Comment