Just a Thought: Do this and you will always experience God’s peace. Paul is addressing the people of Philippi and encouraging them to look for the return of Christ. In doing so he encourages them to daily and continually do this one thing which contains four elements to experience God’s continual peace. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7) There’s a difference between worry and concern. Paul is not instructing these people or us to live carefree lives. I hear people say all the time, “Just let go and let God.” But we need to be careful how we mean that. Some folks want to live Carrie Underwood’s song “Jesus take the Wheel” out literally. As if they can just live a hands-off approach and whatever will be will be. This is not the instruction of Paul here. We are to care about things. And we are to take careful consideration in planning and looking for and following God’s will according to His word in our daily lives. However, we are not to worry or be anxious about our daily lives because we are trusting in the Lord with all our hearts. Anxiety is evidence of our lack of trust. So, we are to take care to put our trust in the Lord in four steps so that we will know and have the peace of God ruling over our hearts. First, prayer which is constant communication with the Lord. Prayer is not just pleading with the Lord for requests. Prayer is how I seek he Lord’s will and discuss every decision and concern I have and make on a daily basis. Second, Petitions are requests to specific answers to specific questions. Some folks don’t believe in an effective prayer life for two reasons. One, they pray with the wrong motivation or self serving desires. And, when God doesn’t give them what they want they conclude, “God doesn’t answer prayer.” Or, two, they don’t ask specific enough to track God’s answers to their prayers. Keeping in mind the Lord answers prayers with “Yes, No, and not now.” When we ask for specific prayers according to God’s word, and we track when and how God answers those prayers, it encourages us to see God answers prayer. Third, thanksgiving, which is an attitude of the heart. We should be thankful that the Lord is in control of all things at all times. We should be thankful he is watching out for us protecting us from harm and providing for us His good (even when we don’t necessarily agree with His answers). I think of a parent who often is in disagreement with their child over things the child wants but, the parent in wisdom doesn’t always give. This is how our heavenly Father is with us. Finally, fourth, requests, which are speaking the cares and concerns of our heart into the listening ear of our Father. We are free to make any and all requests we desire of Him and to cast our cares upon Him because he cares for us! So, I make my requests in specific matters, with a trusting heart thanking the Lord in the end, His ways and will are always better than mine. Do this and you will always experience God’s peace. The kind of peace that will overcome your fears. The kind of peace that will overcome your lack of understanding. The kind of peace that will guard your heart. A safe heart is a heart at peace. Paul says this is the recipe for knowing and having God’s peace in our heart every day all day. Do this and you will always experience God’s peace. Thank You Lord for the promise of Your peace that can and will fill and guard my heart every day. In Jesus name, amen.
