Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7 that there is a peace that transcends all understanding which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
How do we find that spiritual, supernatural peace of which he speaks?
Philippians 4:6 urges us to leave anxiety behind and to learn the benefits of prayer. The first step to finding peace is to make the choice to trust God above anxiety. Many believe this is impossible. “I’m a worrier by nature; I can’t change that.” “You don’t know my circumstances; it’s only natural to be anxious.” “I can’t help myself.”
The truth is that we always have a choice how we think and react. Paul says, “Do not be anxious about anything.” When fear, anxiety and worry threaten to take over our lives and rob us of inner peace, we have to shift our focus back to God.
Paul shows us how to do this: “In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Phil 4:6) The only way out of anxiety is to let God in. Talk to Him. Lay out the reasons for anxiety, the troublesome situations, the objectionable people, the hurdles and hills before you. Make definite requests. Shape your worries into prayers.
It’s alarming how little God’s people pray. Worrying is much easier, we feel, than praying. But when we pray, we must then leave the requests with God and allow thanksgiving into our hearts. We must believe and not doubt. We must wait for God’s answers.
It’s then that God allows peace to replace anxiety. It’s then that our hearts and minds are protected from the insidiously destructive nature of anxiety. It’s then that we can know peace which cannot be explained rationally, but which can be experienced daily and which can quieten our restless hearts.