Philippians 4:6 ESV, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
“Don’t worry” is a difficult command to obey. We are creatures who cling to ideas and feelings, therefore worrying can be as natural to humans as breathing. Praying is a habit that we must train and work to obtain, for it is not a natural spiritual reflex to seek God first, but He is there for us.
The Lord waits for your heart and will to bend to His as you surrender to Him and ask for His help. The Lord knows your needs before you even ask him. Although God is omniscient and has all authority, God is not Santa or a genie in a bottle. If you’re only praying to ask God for stuff or healing, don’t be surprised if your prayers go unanswered. Make sure you spend more time praising him for his guidance from His Word and seeking to study His Word faithfully. Although he cares for your well-being, he is ultimately about His kingdom and using your ransomed life to bring Himself glory as you depend on him.
Does your life reflect surrender and dependence on God’s strength?
Philippians 4:7 ESV, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Every morning that I spend time with God, I feel like I receive a portion of peace to get me through the day. Days when I can’t find time to meditate and pray with God, I find myself weary because I didn’t devote time to him and relied on my own strength to make it through the day.
How sweet it is to know God will meet with us anywhere at any time to grant us his peace. Peace doesn’t mean all of our problems are solved, and our mental, emotional, or physical pain is diminished, but it does mean our spirit is settled with His peace when our eyes are fixed on Jesus. His peace reminds us of the hope and joy of the cross, and it reminds us of the temporary nature of this world as we walk in faith to God’s eternal kingdom.
Laura Hancock lives in Newport News, VA and serves at Coastal Community Church in Yorktown, VA. She teaches U.S. History to 7th graders at Tabb Middle School. She holds a master’s degree in Church Ministry and Discipleship from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and a master’s in Secondary Education. She shares her life with her husband, Travis, and their dog, Buddy.
