The God of Peace
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).
These two verses are right to the point, and tell you just how to know peace. Don't worry. Pray earnestly and seek God’s help to handle the problem you face. Give Him praise no matter how big your issue seems. Trust Him to take care of it. Have faith that His love and faithfulness are greater than your problem, and ask Him to take your fear. You will discover His supernatural peace which your human mind can’t comprehend. Your spirit will rejoice in that peace because you know He is in control.
When worry or problems threaten to attack your faith, focus on God and His promises. Isaiah 26:3 says that He will keep you in perfect peace when your mind thinks on Him—when you focus your energy on His promises instead of your circumstance. Give Him every fear that is spinning out of control in your life over and over again until His peace is attained. There is a place of peace where nothing can destroy your faith in God's provision. When you see each circumstance as another opportunity to allow God to direct and strengthen your life, then you can reach that place where life's problems spur you on to greater faith. Recognize each hardship as training to reach His perfect peace, and you will reach it. Trust your Savior. He has already taken all your fears to the grave, and then risen so you might walk in freedom. In Him you are an overcomer.
“Finally, brothers and sisters,” Paul writes from the darkness and ugliness of his prison cell, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8, NIV). If Paul, in his dire circumstance, can keep his mind focused on whatever is praiseworthy and good and promising, then so can you. You too can choose to practice your faith no matter what life brings. Paul had a peace which no prison wall could steal. You also have the promise of peace that nothing can destroy.
Lynn Hampton Lacher
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