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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6,7
Dear God, what a wonderful Father You are! Thank You for sending Your Son to earth to give us heavenly peace, a peace that we cannot understand! Thank you for this wonderful gift in the blessed name of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Have you ever wondered how you could have been so calm in the midst of some devastating incident that touched your life? Have you stood in awe of your peace in the midst of life’s storms? Is it still a wonder to you how you are alive after your heart has been broken beyond what you thought you could bear?
When that happens you can be sure that you are experiencing what Paul describes as the “peace that surpasses all understanding.” Acquiring this peace is not an easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. Human beings have been known to break under difficult circumstances. And many of us know how that breaking feels.
Even though we studied only a few days ago how “fearfully and wonderfully” we are made, the truth be told, it is only God, through His Holy Spirit, who can equip us in such a way that the tragedies of life cannot destroy us. Without divine help many of us would not outlive our problems.
In this chapter of his letter to the Philippians there are several statements made by Paul which reminds us that there are things that we can do to enable us to survive in times of difficulty. One advice that he offers is that we should be very careful what we allow our minds to dwell upon. Our thoughts will either weaken us or strengthen us.
Positive thoughts (honesty, purity, gratitude, the beautiful, virtue, testimonies of praise and deliverance) are good weapons in this cosmic warfare (8). Revelation 12: 11 states, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony[.]” Sharing with others what God has done for you will keep the hope alive in your heart.
Thoughts of faith in God’s ability to provide for us: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (19).
Thoughts of contentment: “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (12, 13).
The next time the Adversary tries to break your heart and rob you of your peace, remember to “think on these things!”
NOTE: Corrections have been made to this devotional.