July 8
Peace That Transcends
Understanding
Philippians 4:6-7
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.
Daily Steps
After studying the spiritual realm, the final step to securing peace is an act of simple, direct spiritual discipline. This passage provides the new believer with the definitive process for accessing supernatural peace: the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds.
The peace in this process is found in exchange:
The Negative Command: "Do not be anxious about anything." Anxiety is the opposite of peace and is rooted in trying to control what belongs only to the Sovereign God (Day 189). This command forces you to surrender control.
The Exchange of Prayer: Instead of worrying, you are commanded to use prayer as an exchange. In every situation, turn your anxiety into requests (petitions), presenting them to God with thanksgiving. The act of being thankful before the answer is a declaration of faith (Day 179) in God's goodness.
The Guaranteed Result: The outcome is the "peace of God." This peace is not the result of circumstances changing; it is a supernatural tranquility that transcends all understanding. It acts as a divine guard, protecting your hearts (emotions) and minds (thoughts) from the chaos of the unseen world.
Your all-encompassing peace is secured by intentional prayer. Exchange your anxiety for prayer and thanksgiving, and the peace of God will act as a divine shield over your entire inner life.
Reflective Question
What is the one major anxiety you need to surrender to God right now? How can you purposefully pray about that concern with thanksgiving, actively choosing to believe that God's plan is good, even if you do not yet understand it?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that I am often anxious about many things. I pray for the discipline to obey Your command. In this situation, I present my specific requests to You today, with thanksgiving for Your promise.
I ask that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will now guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.
