Finding True 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)

Arise and shine, dear one! God is with you!

This last week I’ve held tight to these verses, actively living them out on a day-to-day basis. It’s a passage that I run to when those anxious thoughts creep in and my mind is tempted to spiral down the “what if…” scenarios. God’s Word gives us a strategy for how to handle those difficult times.

In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul reminds us that in every situation we should pray, with thanksgiving, presenting our requests to God. Did you catch the “with thanksgiving” part? When we are anxious, we can remember what God has done, thanking Him for how He’s shown up in the past, and being reminded of His faithful character. Going through this process will shift our hearts away from being filled with worry towards the One who holds us in His Hands.

When we actively surrender our requests to the Lord, with a heart of thanksgiving, we will have God’s peace. It’s not just a momentary stillness we experience, but a true peace that transcends understanding and can only come from God. When we walk in this peace, it will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. That peace is powerful! You may even find that others will take notice of it.

What anxious thoughts have you faced recently, dear one? Take them to the throne room! Our prayers are like incense before the Lord (Revelation 5:8) and He hears the cries of our hearts. As you pray, thank God for what He has done in your life. Remember His faithfulness and allow His peace to go with you today.