The Peace That God Gives (Part Three)

Paul teaches, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Because the Lord is at hand, or His return is imminent (Philippians 4:5), believers should set their lives and thoughts in certain ways. Paul begins by sharing the plain contrast between anxiety/worry and prayer. He notes believers should be “anxious for nothing.” This does not imply a complete lack of concern. Nor does it mean believers are to be careless. In biblical terms, concern is a healthy awareness of a challenge that prompts faithful, proactive action, while worry is an unhealthy, fearful, and unproductive preoccupation with an uncertain future that lacks trust in God's sovereignty. A key distinction is that concern is outward-focused and involves prayer and active steps, whereas worry is self-centered, leads to inaction, and replaces trust with fear. Instead, being “anxious for nothing” means that believers should not be fearful, paranoid, or uneasy. Why not? Believers can speak directly with God, who is sovereign (having all power and authority), who is in total control of the situation. Essentially, instead of worrying, they should present their needs to God through prayer and express gratitude for His past and future provision. Those who choose prayer and trust during times of anxiety will experience the “peace of God.” This peace offers three important positives. First, God's peace is “supernatural and unexplainable.” It is truly amazing how God can and will respond during times of difficulty. Second, God's peace “will guard your hearts.” The heart is seen as something to guard and protect at all costs, since it influenced all of life (Proverbs 4:23). Third, God's peace will guard “your minds in Christ Jesus.” This peace acts as a protector, keeping your thoughts and emotions stable in Christ. This peace is not a human effort but a divine gift received through a relationship with Christ, sustained by prayer and a focus on God's promises rather than the world's troubles. Be encouraged!

Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible teacher & expositor